Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is pushing for stronger cross-sector coordination to develop sustainable tourism, seeking to balance tourism revenue growth with greenhouse gas emission cuts under its FOLU Net Sink 2030 target.
Project Manager of FOLU Net Sink 2&3 at the Ministry of Forestry, Arga Paradita Sutiyono, said tourism-related activity inevitably generates carbon emissions but should not conflict with Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use Net Sink 2030 strategy.
"The Net Sink program is not intended to restrict or prohibit human activity in nature. What is encouraged is how people contribute to environmental improvement through integrated management,” Arga said on Monday.
He made the remarks during the “Women’s Synergy for Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030” forum at Mount Ciremai National Park in Kuningan, West Java.
Arga said Indonesia could learn from countries such as Turkey, which manages tourist arrivals up to ten times higher while maintaining conservation-based tourism rooted in natural and historical preservation.
He said the key lies in integrated coordination and accessibility across sectors, enabling tourism growth without compromising environmental sustainability.
Arga highlighted Indonesia’s tourism access challenges, noting that conservation areas such as Kayan Mentarang National Park in North Kalimantan remain difficult to reach because of limited transportation integration.
He contrasted that with more established destinations such as Komodo National Park, where tourism infrastructure is better coordinated and more accessible.
“If tourism access is developed through coordinated integration between sectors, such as the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Tourism, sustainable tourism will not undermine environmental preservation,” he said.
The Ministry of Forestry said stronger multisector collaboration could transform national parks into tourism growth centers, including through programs at Way Kambas National Park aimed at generating economic opportunities while improving environmental conditions.
“Carbon emissions will persist unless managed effectively. The challenge is creating foreign exchange opportunities while continuing to improve the environment,” Arga said.
“If environmental management is poor, tourists will be reluctant to visit. The core issue is coordination and integration across sectors,” he added.
The three-day event, held from May 11 to 13, brought together ministry representatives, public relations officials, conservation groups, and national journalists.
Organized by the Ministry of Forestry’s Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation, the forum highlighted women’s role in forest management and advancing Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 target through public communication and collaborative action.
The ministry said it expects the forum to strengthen coordination among ministries, stakeholders, and communities in support of Indonesia’s forestry priorities and climate agenda.
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Translator: M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Martha Herlinawati Si
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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