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Govt shifts to anthropological approach in developing Papua
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Traditional houses in Baliem Valley, Wamena, Papua. (Shutterstock/-)
T
he government has changed its approach in developing Papua from administration-based development to anthropological-based development.
The development, while also tapping into economic potential, is to be carried out in accordance to the culture of seven areas comprising Mamta, Saireri, Ha Anim, La Pago, Mee Pago, Bomberai and Domberai. Areas like Mamta and La Pago will be focused on plantations.
"The Southern region like Ha Anim, which includes Merauke where many homesteaders reside, will be focused on rice farms," Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry's director general for the development of specific areas, Suprayoga Hadi, told The Jakarta Post on Monday in his office.
He added, the changes in the development approach intend to minimize conflict among Papuan tribes while also improving the welfare of the Papuan people.
By clustering the regions based on cultural similarities, the government expects the development of local resources to be better optimized.
"The groupings based on cultural dimensions were actually used by the Dutch colonial government in 1934. We need to learn why Papuan people during the colonial era lived in relative peace," Suprayoga said. (ags)
