Sentani, Papua — The Jayapura Regency Government (Pemkab) expressed its commitment to regulate the existence of fish cages in the Sentani Lake area as part of efforts to maintain environmental sustainability as well as provide a fairer natural resource management space for local indigenous people.
Jayapura Regent, Yunus Wonda, in his statement on Thursday (date as needed), emphasized that this regulation step is part of the government’s strategy in creating fair and sustainable economic governance in the Jayapura Regency area.
“The regulation of this fish cage is not to hinder economic activities, but rather to ensure that the management of Lake Sentani takes place in an orderly, fair manner, and sides with indigenous people as the owners of ulayat rights,” said Regent Yunus Wonda.
In the process, the Jayapura Regency Government will prepare regulations as the legal basis for the implementation of the regulation. This rule will include licensing mechanisms to sanctions for business actors who build cages without permission or violate applicable provisions. The government also plans to involve traditional elements and local communities in the process of supervision and implementation of the rules.
“We want Sentani Lake to remain sustainable and continue to be the main source of life for the surrounding community. Do not let excessive exploitation actually damage the ecosystem and remove the cultural value that has been attached to this lake for generations,” he added.
This regulation step is also part of the local government’s commitment to maintaining a balance between environmental conservation, indigenous empowerment, and local economic development. The Jayapura Regency Government hopes that all parties, including business actors and the community, can support this policy for the sustainability of Lake Sentani as a natural and cultural heritage of Papua.
