Non-timber forest product extraction activities of traditional communities in the upstream Mamberamo Basin of West Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Rahawarin YY. 2017. Non-timber forest product extraction activities of traditional communities in the upstream Mamberamo Basin of West Papua, Indonesia. Asian J For 1: 23-26. Forest provides a variety of resources that benefit traditional communities, including indigenous communities in Papua. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by local communities in the upstream part of Mamberamo Basin, West Papua, Indonesia. Field surveys, direct observation and semi-structural interviews were conducted to generate data. The results showed that the local communities in the upstream part of Mamberamo Basin extract several non-timber forest products over the course of their generations to fulfill basic daily necessities and to generate cash incomes. Sago palm (Metoxylon sagu) was among the most important non-timber forest products which are used as a staple food, while hunting freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porossus) for its skin and collecting agarwood (Gyrinops sp.) were the primary activities to generate cash incomes. These activities have lasted for generations, so people called them traditional conservation. They are believed to be done on a sustainable basis to keep the availability of non-timber forest products to fulfill the daily needs over generations.