development harnesses and exploits natural resources. Protection and maintenance of 

ecosystems, species, and genetic resources are often perceived to be at the expense of 

economic development.  It is the perception of many government officials and the private sector 

that protected areas are totally closed to any form of economic development.  From this 

perspective, these areas represent lost opportunities on the opposite extreme of economic 

opportunity. There is little understanding of the supportive links between conservation and 

development. 

Striking a balance between conservation and development is a prerequisite for long term growth 

and long term economic prosperity.  Ideally, the two concepts could be brought closer together 

in a socially acceptable and unthreatening manner.  Through implementation of sustainable 

natural resources management,  appropriate use  as opposed to  no use  would be supported; 

this is the basis of sustainable development.  Sustainable development thus implies long term, 

low impact utilization of natural resources.  It necessitates the efficient use of a region's natural 

resources base, with substantial incentives to reduce overall economic dependence on this 

base. 

Biodiversity conservation refers to the maintenance of species and ecosystem diversity, and 

may be extended to include maintenance of the ecosystem functions required to support 

continued economic growth.  Ecosystem functions include prevention of soil erosion, flood 

protection, climate maintenance, agricultural support, and other natural resources utilization.  In 

situ biodiversity conservation, i.e. within the natural conservation area system, preserves areas 

of ecological importance that directly or indirectly support the surrounding developed area.  

Conservation supports sustainable development by maintaining ecological functions that allow 

for economic growth and reduction of public expenditures that would otherwise be needed to 

alleviate environmental crises (e.g., forest fires, floods, droughts, pest infestations). 

Conservation actually promotes national stability by minimizing perturbations to the 

interdependent economic and ecological systems. In situ conservation is intended to be 

accomplished through maintenance of Indonesia's important conservation area system, which is 

currently not being effectively managed or protected. 

3.3  Indonesia s Conservation Area System and Management Issues  

The Indonesian government has set a total conservation area target of 18 percent of the 

country's land area (MoFr 1995).  This target intends to fulfill the safe minimum requirement for 

future needs of biodiversity conservation.  However, the extent to which this targeted area will 

provide sufficient coverage for important habitats and ecological functions, in both quantity and 

quality, remains to be seen. Protecting isolated areas of high biological diversity and high 

ecosystem integrity, within a regional landscape that is rapidly degrading, may neither 

sufficiently maintain biodiversity nor provide for future natural resources development 

requirements.  Current management of the conservation area system is weak. 

On paper, through official maps and government decrees, Indonesia has established one of the 

most comprehensive systems of conservation areas in Asia.  However, selection of areas 

comprising the conservation system has rarely been determined scientifically.  Instead, it has 

been determined by setting aside a large portion of the country that was not subject to 

competing demands.  The intention was to plan, manage and evaluate these areas at a later 

date when resources became available.  Approximately 16.9 million hectares of terrestrial area, 

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