From Oil Palm to Corn Estate

The customary forest of the Mpur ethnic community in Tambrauw, has been converted into a corn estate. The residents are despondent because their customary land, which was the source of their livelihood, is gone.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The corn estate managed by PT Bintuni Agro Prima Perkasa (BAPP) lies in the Kebar Valley in Kebar district, Tambrauw regency, West Papua, as pictured on Sunday (18/4/2021). Forest damage due to land conversion has caused tensions between the indigenous communities in the Kebar Valley and PT BAPP. The forest in the Kebar Valley has long provided various resources that the people used to make a living. Part of the customary land remains a forest, with diverse flora and fauna.

Veronika Manimbu, 35, stood in an open-backed car with four-wheel drive, looking at an expanse of cornfield not far ahead. It seemed that Veronika was unable to hide her sadness.

“There used to be a forest here. Lots of ironwood (merbau), matoa (Pometia pinnata), sago palm and other trees were everywhere. But the company removed them all, planting corn here,” said Veronika on meeting Kompas in the Kebar Valley of Tambrauw regency, West Papua province.