Indonesian Women Protect Mangrove Forests & Culture

Women of the Enggros-Tobati tribe in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia, are safeguarding their mangrove forests through a tradition called tonot wiyat, or “forest of women.” This practice restricts forest access to women, who maintain the ecosystem, gather food, and pass down knowledge through generations. The mangrove forest serves as a vital source of livelihood, a space for freedom, education, and cultural preservation, and a key element of their identity.

However, this tradition is increasingly threatened by pollution, deforestation, land conversion, and infrastructure development. The women are actively responding by planting mangrove seedlings and encouraging younger generations to continue their stewardship. The forest, covering approximately 32,900 hectares within a larger conservation area, is formally managed by the women through the Ibayauw Forest Farmers Group.

Anthropologists note this practice predates modern conservation efforts, representing an ancestral commitment to environmental protection. The women fear losing not only their livelihoods but also their cultural heritage if the forests disappear, and are urging both local leaders and the government to prioritize the forest’s preservation.