Integrating Indigenous Legal Traditions into Indonesia’s Environmental Governance: Advancing Pathways to Ecological Justice

Abstract

Indonesia’s vast indigenous populations hold diverse legal traditions that remain crucial yet under-recognized in formal environmental governance frameworks. This study explores the extent to which indigenous legal systems are integrated within Indonesia’s environmental policies and examines pathways toward achieving ecological justice through this integration. The research seeks to answer: How are indigenous legal traditions acknowledged and incorporated in Indonesia’s environmental governance? What barriers and opportunities exist for aligning customary laws with national environmental policies to foster ecological justice? Employing qualitative analysis of legislation, policy documents, and case studies from indigenous communities in Kalimantan and Papua, this study finds persistent gaps in legal recognition and participatory inclusion, which hamper sustainable resource management and social equity. The findings advocate for harmonizing customary and state laws to empower indigenous rights, strengthen environmental stewardship, and promote just governance. This paper contributes to policy discussions by highlighting pathways for inclusive environmental governance rooted in Indonesia’s unique socio-legal landscape.