Efforts to conserve biodiversity amid the climate crisis and environmental degradation can no longer focus solely on species protection. A more comprehensive approach is needed, encompassing stronger governance, sustainable development, law enforcement, and the involvement of indigenous communities. This issue was highlighted during the International Symposium on Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation (ISWBC) 2026 on Thursday (Jun. 11), which carried the theme Beyond Species: Rethinking Conservation in an Era of Uncertainty.
Organized by the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Forestry UGM) in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and various conservation partners, the symposium brought together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to formulate innovative and sustainable conservation strategies.
Dean of Forestry UGM, Dr. Sigit Sunarta, stated that conservation in today’s era of uncertainty requires a new perspective that focuses not only on species but also on ecosystems, governance, and resilience. According to Dr. Sunarta, the complexity of current environmental crises cannot be addressed by any single actor, making cross-sector collaboration essential. Academics, government institutions, indigenous communities, and civil society organizations must work together to develop inclusive and sustainable solutions.
“No single institution can tackle these challenges alone. We need collaboration to build inclusive and sustainable solutions,” he said.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, emphasized that conservation and infrastructure development should not be viewed as conflicting objectives. According to him, infrastructure projects must maintain ecological connectivity through measures such as wildlife corridors to ensure that infrastructure does not obstruct animal movement. He underscored the importance of ecological connectivity, nature-based solutions, and community engagement throughout the development process.
“We must also remember that nature itself is part of infrastructure because it provides environmental services that support human life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Forestry, Rohmat Marzuki, stressed the importance of forest governance based on three key priorities: strengthening indigenous peoples’ rights and social forestry programs, developing high-integrity carbon markets, and implementing integrated landscape governance. He noted that, as of May 2026, social forestry access had reached 8.34 million hectares and continues to expand as part of the country’s strategy for social justice and sustainability.
He expressed hope that Indonesia’s forests would be viewed not merely as economic assets but as foundations of environmental resilience, biodiversity protection, and the fulfillment of indigenous peoples’ rights.
“Forests are not simply land cover or economic assets. They are the foundation of biodiversity, indigenous rights, community livelihoods, and sustainable national development,” he explained.
From a legal perspective, Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement Yazid Nurhuda identified several major threats to Indonesia’s forest sustainability, including wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, forest encroachment, and illegal carbon trading. He stressed the need for law enforcement approaches that focus not only on punishing offenders but also on restoring environmental damage and recovering state losses.
To strengthen environmental law enforcement, Nurhuda explained that the government has optimized the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), integrated intelligence systems, and digital forensics. At the same time, the government is encouraging public participation in environmental monitoring through secure reporting mechanisms and legal protection for environmental defenders under Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (Anti-SLAPP) policies.
“We are strengthening technology-based monitoring systems while ensuring safe reporting mechanisms and protections for environmental defenders,” he said.
Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the Ministry of Forestry’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), Ahmad Munawir, emphasized the importance of transitioning to a nature-positive approach that seeks not only to prevent environmental degradation but also to restore ecosystem quality. Such efforts can be achieved through a mitigation hierarchy that includes avoiding damage, minimizing impacts, restoring ecosystems, and regenerating natural conditions.
“Nature positive does not simply mean stopping biodiversity loss. It means ensuring that nature is in a better condition than before,” he explained.
According to Munawir, conservation management can no longer be conducted separately based on administrative or protected areas alone. Instead, it requires a landscape-and-seascape approach that integrates the management of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as interconnected systems.
“We are no longer talking only about landscapes, but about landscapes and seascapes as one interconnected ecosystem stretching from land to sea,” he said.
Head of the Indigenous Territory Registration Agency, Kasmita Widodo, emphasized that the recognition of indigenous territories is a fundamental component of biodiversity conservation in Indonesia. Indigenous peoples and local communities have long practiced environmental stewardship that contributes significantly to ecosystem preservation. Therefore, strengthening indigenous land rights must go hand in hand with the national conservation agenda.
“There will be no biodiversity without indigenous territories, and there will be no nature-positive future without indigenous territories,” he said.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photos: Rekam Nusantara Foundation Documentation and Leony