Biodiversity Mapping in Indonesian ICCAs as of May 2025

Biodiversity in Indonesia's Indigenous Peoples and Local Community Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs) is considered positive, according to a recent report by the Working Group ICCAs Indonesia (WGII).

To provide some background, ICCAs are efforts to protect natural resources and the environment, guided by community practices and grounded in local cultural values.

According to WGII, the total number of species in identified ICCA areas is divided into five types: 92 mammal species; 1,322 plant species; 182 reptile species; 1,244 bird species; and 111 mollusk species. This species count includes both Indonesian and globally distributed endemics.

Of the 92 recorded mammal species, 51% are endemic to Indonesia, while the remaining 49% are found globally.

Among the 1,322 identified plant species, 32% are endemic, with the other 68% distributed worldwide. Similarly, 22% of the 1,244 bird species are endemic to Indonesia, while 78% occur across multiple regions.

In the case of mollusks, 18% of the 111 species are endemic, with the rest having a broader global distribution.

WGII states that these findings demonstrate that traditional knowledge practices implemented by indigenous peoples and local communities are more effective in maintaining remaining biodiversity and can contribute to achieving national and global targets.

As of May 2025, the total national registration area of ICCAs in Indonesia reached 647,457.49 hectares (ha), spread across 293 indigenous and local community areas. In identifying the potential of ICCAs in Indonesia, WGII used a three-characteristic ICCA approach through spatial analysis of participatory maps of customary territories and participatory maps of village administrations totaling 23.82 million ha, indicated as ICCAs.

In addition, WGII mapped the potential ICCAs in Indonesia at 23.82 million ha, higher than the 2024 data of 22 million ha. The largest potential ICCA area is in Papua, at 9.37 million ha.

(Read: Indonesia's 2024 Customary Forest Area Data: Largest in Central Kalimantan)