Indigenous Land Rights and Environmental Justice in Indonesia: Balancing Development and Minority Protections

Abstract

Indonesia’s rapid economic development has intensified land conflicts involving indigenous communities, raising critical questions about environmental justice and minority rights. This paper examines how indigenous groups assert land claims against corporate and governmental development projects, analyzing the legal frameworks, customary laws (adat), and community strategies employed to safeguard their territories. Fieldwork conducted in Central Kalimantan and West Papua includes interviews with local leaders, NGO workers, and policymakers. The research identifies systemic gaps in the recognition of indigenous land rights and explores the tensions between economic growth imperatives and social justice obligations. By situating the Indonesian case within the global discourse on indigenous rights and environmental sustainability, the study emphasizes the necessity of integrating minority protections into national development planning. The findings advocate for legal reforms, participatory policymaking, and community-based monitoring to ensure that environmental justice aligns with minority rights protection.