Squatters endanger Jayapura water catchments

The future of nature conservation water catchment areas serving the Papua provincial capital city of Jayapura and the nearby town of Sentani is under threat from human settlement and resultant land clearance. According to Jayapura Regent Habel Melkias Suwae, 4,330 people have illegally settled in the Cycloop conservation areas, because government bans on people living in the conservation areas were not being heeded. "These people have illegally felled trees and developed farming ... They claim the land belongs to them so that they feel they can do as they like. But when their activities cause flooding, it is the local administration which is to blame," he said.

Suwae explained that out of the 22,500 hectares earmarked for nature conservation in the area, 9,374 hectares had been classified as 'critical land'. Illegal logging in the conservation areas had already caused landslides in three locations and caused flooding in parts of Sentani, Habel said as reported by The Jakarta Post.

Ethnic tensions turn violent in Jayapura regency

Two ethnic groups from Desa Sokori, Jayapura regency, Papua province, reportedly battled over the delineation of traditional land on 11 February. According to media reports, 35 houses and three motorcycles were torched and one car badly damaged during the clash. It was also reported that local police suspected the clash was triggered when a woman from the Damal ethnic group was shot by an arrow. Security forces were reportedly attempting to mediate the situation.

Churches warn Papua of spreading HIV/AIDs virus

Papuan Churches Association (PGGP) have issued a circular warning Papuans of the danger of HIV/AIDS as the number of the cases is significantly high in Indonesia's eastern-most province. "The virus is a great treat to the lives of people in Papua land," said the circular issued on 27 January and signed by a number of church leaders. The Papuan HIV/AIDS Overseeing Committee recorded that there are 3,023 people infected by the incurable virus in last December. With 1,128 cases, Mimika regency is the worst region, followed by Merauke regency with 883 cases and Jayapura regency with 247 cases.