Forest encroachment and illegal logging have become problems that damage the environment around the world, including in Indonesia. The Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) is one of the fourth largest natural heritage sites in Indonesia that has been significantly affected. In 2011, the KSNP was included in the heritage list of tropical rainforests with threatened status. To overcome this problem, joint efforts from various parties are needed, including indigenous/local communities and forest ranger partners. One tool that can be used to combat illegal logging and deforestation in the KSNP is Global Forest Watch (GFW).

GFW is an interactive platform that allows users to track real-time changes in forests around the world. This platform can see points of tree cover loss, and changes in land use, and the latest is a method that allows for indications of tree cover loss. GFW also provides information about human activities such as logging, plantations, and settlements. With proper and accurate information, indigenous/local communities and forest ranger partners can monitor activities that damage the environment in the TNKS and take action to stop them.

Supported by the World Resource Institute (WRI), the Independent Forestry Monitoring Network held training activities on March 15-17 2023 at the Axana Hotel, Padang City. The participants who attended this training consisted of 10 civil society members and 10 forest rangers’ partners from the regions of West Sumatra, Bengkulu, and South Sumatra. The training was divided into 3 days, the first day was used to introduce the Global Forest Watch application and the utilization of deforestation warning data, and the second day was used for a simulation experiment on how to process Global Forest Watch and Forest Watcher data using ArcMap, then on the third day a discussion session was held to develop a follow-up plan after the training and create a desk research plan.

 

Increasing the capacity of indigenous/local communities and forest ranger partners in using GFW is an important step in fighting illegal logging and deforestation in the KSNP. Through this training, participants are expected to be able to learn how to use GFW to monitor changes in land and forest cover in the KSNP. In addition, indigenous/local communities and forest ranger partners can use the information obtained from GFW to develop strategies and action plans to stop activities that damage the environment. For example, they can monitor areas prone to illegal logging and conduct patrols in these areas to prevent illegal activity. They can also identify and monitor companies responsible for illegal logging and deforestation in the KSNP and report their activities to the authorities.