The Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) has proposed the concept of "Ekonomi Nusantara" to assist local communities in land management, aiming to restore forest areas without overexploitation. Zenzi Suhadi, Walhi's National Executive Director, highlighted the sacrifice of the environment for economic interests during a press conference at their office on Monday, April 29, 2023. The Ekonomi Nusantara concept, initiated by Walhi in 2021, has gained momentum, managing over 1.3 million hectares across 28 Indonesian provinces. Zenzi emphasized that this scheme supports sustainable local practices, integrating ecological, social, and economic values harmoniously. Zenzi believes that the Ekonomi Nusantara system can alleviate land crises and facilitate restoration in previously damaged areas, empowering local communities to revive their land for collective survival.
For instance, the revitalization of Tanjung Aur in Bengkulu following past degradation serves as a testament to the efficacy of local initiatives. Furthermore, Zenzi highlighted how the Ekonomi Nusantara model can enhance the production value of farmers in neglected regions, reducing post-harvest waste accumulation, estimated at around 30%. Farah Sofa, Program Officer for Natural Resource and Climate Change at Ford Foundation Indonesia, lauded Walhi's Ekonomi Nusantara scheme as beneficial for the improved livelihoods of local communities. Farah emphasized that historically, profits have favored a select few, often at the expense of indigenous land rights. She advocated for the widespread implementation of the Ekonomi Nusantara model throughout Indonesia, envisioning simplified land management and minimized violations of indigenous land rights.
