POSO- The Indonesian Social Forestry Management Association (AP2SI) of Central Sulawesi (Sulteng), in collaboration with the Bumi Hijau Khatulistiwa Foundation (BIJAK Foundation), the Central Sulawesi Participatory Mapping Service Center (SLPP), and the People's Education Foundation (YPR), held a Workshop on the Preparation of the Work Program of the To Pekurehua Wanua Watutau Indigenous Community, which took place at Baruga, Watutau Village, Lore Peore District, Poso Regency, on May 7-8, 2026.
This activity became a space for consolidation of the Wanua Watutau indigenous community in formulating the direction of struggle, strengthening customary institutions, protecting customary territories, and developing livelihood sources based on local wisdom and environmental sustainability.
The workshop was attended by representatives from traditional institutions, village governments, community leaders, women, youth, and civil society organizations. Over the two days, participants collectively mapped the potential, strengths, challenges, and threats faced by indigenous communities in managing natural resources and maintaining their living spaces.
During the workshop, participants developed a shared vision and short-, medium-, and long-term work plans that will serve as guidelines for future community organizing. The work programs formulated included strengthening customary institutions, protecting customary territories and natural resources, developing community-based businesses, and strengthening the roles of women and youth in community governance.
Representatives from the organizing committee stated that indigenous communities play a crucial role in protecting forests, land, and environmental sustainability. Therefore, strengthening indigenous communities must be a crucial part of equitable and sustainable development.
“"This workshop is not just about compiling a list of activities, but also about creating a shared space to strengthen the direction of the indigenous community's struggle to safeguard their territory, identity, and the future of their generations," said Christian Toibo, a Watutau Indigenous Community Leader.
The Chairman of the Central Sulawesi SLPP, Agus M. Suleman, emphasized that the To Pekurehua Wanua Watutau Indigenous Community has faced various challenges related to the protection of customary areas and access to natural resource management.
“"Geographically, the Watutau customary territory is squeezed by the Land Bank Agency's claim to the territory, which has entered and occupied it from the east. Meanwhile, Lore Lindu National Park also squeezes the Watutau territory from the west. Despite this situation, the community continues to maintain land management practices based on customary values, mutual cooperation, and sustainability. That's why this struggle must be strengthened with sound planning and organization," Sandy emphasized in the workshop's opening remarks.
Through this workshop, it is hoped that a participatory, measurable community work program document will be produced, which can serve as a shared foundation for strengthening the position of indigenous communities in protecting their territories and developing a community-based economy.
The agenda of the workshop included discussions and participatory mapping of the potential of indigenous communities, preparation of work plans based on community needs, involvement of women, young people, traditional leaders, and village governments in the decision-making process.
At the end of the workshop session, a signing was carried out in the form of Strengthening the joint commitment to protect customary areas and the sustainability of natural resources.
The Head of the Central Sulawesi AP2SI Provincial Management Board, Bonar Adrian Barau, added that in addition to strengthening the Watutau Traditional Community institutionally, the Workshop was part of an effort to encourage the recognition and protection of the Wanua Watutau traditional legal community.
“This work program preparation workshop activity is part of a joint effort with the To Pekurehua Wanua Watutau Indigenous Community to strengthen the capacity of indigenous communities while encouraging the recognition and protection of PPMHA by the Poso Regency Government and the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government in accordance with the mechanisms regulated in the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 52 of 2014. Through organizational strengthening.**
News Source:
https://media.alkhairaat.id/masyarakat-adat-watutau-susun-proker-perkuat-perlindungan-wilayah-adat/
