Forest Conservation by Conserving Socio-cultural Aspects: A Lesson from the Sougb Tribe in Teluk Bintuni, West Papua Province

The forest has been an integral part of the lives of local people, such as the Sougb Tribe, for generations, during which time they have applied their traditional knowledge. However, the local government has been conducting development for decades with less local knowledge involved. Hence, this research was designed to examine the traditional knowledge used during forest utilization by the Sougb Tribe in Teluk Bintuni, West Papua Province. The data were collected through interviews using the snowball method in the subdistricts of Bintuni, Bintuni Timur, Manimeri, Tuhiba, and Tembun. Then, the study revealed that the Sougb Tribe, originally part of the Arfak Tribe, has inhabited the Teluk Bintuni area for generations, migrating from the highlands to the lowlands due to various factors like marriage and conflict. They still maintain customary rights while managing the land through traditional organizations. This tribe relies profoundly on forest resources for sustenance, practicing sustainable agriculture and traditional hunting methods. Despite facing challenges in forest utilization, they emphasize the importance of biodiversity and traditional knowledge in local conservation efforts. Thus, it is vital to integrate this local wisdom into regional development that can enhance sustainability and cultural preservation, fostering community engagement and ecological balance.