Narasita.com- POSO, – The To Pekurehua Wanua Watutau Indigenous Community prepared a work program to strengthen the protection of customary areas, community institutions, and community-based economic development in a workshop held at Baruga Watutau Village, Lore Peore District, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, on May 7–8, 2026.
The activity was organized by the Indonesian Social Forestry Management Association (AP2SI) of Central Sulawesi together with the Bumi Hijau Khatulistiwa Foundation (BIJAK), the Participatory Mapping Service Center (SLPP) of Central Sulawesi, and the People's Education Foundation (YPR).
The workshop was attended by representatives from traditional institutions, village governments, community leaders, women, youth, and civil society organizations. Over two days, participants mapped the potential, challenges, and threats faced by indigenous communities in maintaining their living space and managing natural resources.
In the forum, participants also developed a shared vision and short, medium, and long-term work plans as guidelines for future community organizing.
The formulated work program includes strengthening customary institutions, protecting customary territories and natural resources, developing community-based businesses, and increasing the role of women and the younger generation in community governance.
Watutau indigenous community leader Christian Toibo said the workshop was a shared space to strengthen the direction of the indigenous community's struggle.
“"This workshop is not just about compiling a list of activities, but also about creating a shared space to strengthen the direction of indigenous communities' struggle to safeguard their territories, identities, and the future of their generations," said Christian.
The Chairman of the Central Sulawesi SLPP, Agus M. Suleman, assessed that the Watutau indigenous community faces serious challenges regarding the protection of customary territories and access to natural resource management.
According to him, the Watutau customary area is currently squeezed by claims from the Land Bank Agency on the east side and the Lore Lindu National Park area on the west side.
However, Agus said, the community still maintains regional management practices based on customary values, mutual cooperation, and environmental sustainability.
“"Therefore, this struggle must be strengthened with good planning and organization," he said.
Meanwhile, the Central Sulawesi AP2SI Provincial Executive Board, Bonar Adrian Barau, said the workshop was also part of efforts to encourage recognition and protection of the Wanua Watutau customary law community.
He said the process was carried out through strengthening community organizations, documenting customary areas, strengthening customary institutions, and preparing work agendas in a participatory manner.
“"By strengthening community organizations, documenting customary territories and customary institutions, and developing a participatory community work agenda, we want to ensure that all elements and requirements for recognizing customary law communities are properly prepared," Bonar said.
According to him, this step is expected to be the basis for the Poso Regency Government and the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government in determining the recognition and protection of indigenous communities in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 52 of 2014.
News Source:
https://narasita.com/baca/masyarakat-adat-watutau-dorong-pengakuan-hukum-adat-melalui-lokakarya/
