JAYAPURA — The Creative Gallery owned by the Papua Provincial Forestry and Environmental Agency (DLHK) received a visit from the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

The gallery serves as a sales center for various non-timber forest products (NTFPs) developed by DLHK Papua as part of efforts to promote downstream processing of community-based forestry products.

Acting Head of the Papua Environmental and Forestry Agency, Yaconias Maitindom, said that the Creative Gallery is a concrete step by the regional government to encourage the development of non-timber forest products in Papua.

"Through the Forestry Branch Offices (CDK) and Forest Management Units (KPH) in regencies and cities, DLHK Papua continues to provide assistance and empowerment to communities living around forest areas as well as outside forest areas," he said.

He stressed that forests should not only be viewed from the timber aspect, but also as having other economic potential that can be developed, such as non-timber forest products, environmental services, and social forestry schemes as part of sustainable forest use.

"The visit by the Norwegian and NORAD delegation to Papua was also intended to observe the regional government's commitment to protecting indigenous communities," he said.

This includes strengthening rights to land, customs, and culture related to natural resource management, as well as opportunities for sustainable investment. ***