SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE FREEPORT AREA, PAPUA

Abstract

This article aims to examine the sustainable management of biological natural resources in the Freeport mining area, Papua, which is home to diverse and fragile ecosystems ranging from mangroves to alpine zones. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method through document analysis, literature review, and field observation to explore environmental practices conducted by PT Freeport Indonesia. The findings show that while mining activities have caused significant ecological disturbances—including habitat loss, biodiversity degradation, and pollution—the company has also carried out various mitigation efforts. These include biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem reclamation, reforestation of the Grasberg mine, and conservation programs in partnership with local communities. More than 50,000 pig-nosed turtles and many endemic birds and mammals have been reintroduced into protected habitats. The paper contributes to the broader discourse on balancing industrial development with biodiversity protection, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. It also provides insights into how conservation data from the mining area can support biodiversity management in adjacent protected zones like Lorentz National Park.