Bioregional Border Governance: State, Indigenous Peoples, and Ecological Connectivity in the Indonesia–Papua New Guinea Borderland

Melyana Ratana Pugu

doi:10.59261/jequi.v8i2.329

Authors

Melyana Ratana Pugu Universitas Cenderawasih

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59261/jequi.v8i2.329

Keywords:

Border Governance, Indigenous Peoples, Bioregional, Ecological Connectivity, Indonesia–Papua New Guinea, Melanesia

Abstract

Background: …

Objective: This research aims to analyze the dynamics of border governance between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea from a multidimensional perspective, examine the role and involvement of indigenous peoples, and evaluate the importance of a bioregional approach in maintaining flora and fauna connectivity in the Pacific region. Furthermore, this research aims to formulate an integrated border governance model capable of combining the interests of state sovereignty, local community welfare, and the sustainability of transboundary ecosystems.

Methods: This research uses a qualitative-descriptive approach with a descriptive-analytical design. The data used is entirely secondary data obtained through library research and internet-based research from indexed scientific journals, policy documents, and relevant institutional reports. To ensure data validity, this research applies triangulation techniques by comparing various data sources from policy, academic, and empirical perspectives.

Results: The results show that border governance between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is still dominated by a security-based approach and has not fully integrated social and ecological dimensions. Indigenous peoples have a strategic role in maintaining social stability and environmental sustainability through local knowledge and traditional practices, yet their involvement in formal policy remains limited. Additionally, the bioregional connectivity of flora and fauna in the Melanesian region faces serious threats due to habitat fragmentation, natural resource exploitation, and climate change, which cannot be effectively addressed through administrative boundary-based approaches alone. As a key output, this research produces a conceptual model of integrated border governance based on collaboration between the state and indigenous peoples using a bioregional approach. This model emphasizes the integration of multilevel governance between central government, local government, and indigenous peoples, and prioritizes area management based on transboundary ecosystem units. This model is expected to serve as a reference for formulating more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable border policies.

Conclusion: This research also identifies a research gap in the literature, namely the limited number of studies that comprehensively integrate border governance, the role of indigenous peoples, and bioregional approaches within a single analytical framework. Therefore, future research is advised to develop primary data-based studies through field approaches, empirically test the proposed model, and expand the study to other border areas in the Pacific region to strengthen the generalizability of the findings.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aedah, N., & Muchsin, M. (2021). Implementation Of Transboundary Policy In The Republic Of Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Area In Keerom Regency. International Journal Of Multicultural And Multireligious Understanding, 8(10), 58. https://doi.org/10.18415/Ijmmu.V8i10.2999

Coombes, P., & Tresidder, R. (2026). Reflexivity In Systematic Literature Reviews: The Philosophical And Methodological Foundations Of Bibliometric Evaluation. European Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Emj.2026.03.002

Costa, A., Van De Pol, M., Atrigenio, M. P., & Cabral, R. B. (2026). Synthesising Ecological, Socioeconomic, And Governance Guidelines For Designing Marine Protected Areas. Biological Conservation, 313, 111602. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Biocon.2025.111602

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry And Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage Publications.

Denzin, N. K. (2012). Triangulation 2.0. Journal Of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), 80–88.

Firth, S. (2019). Geo-Political Overview Of Melanesia. In The Melanesian World (Pp. 95–109). Routledge.

Haloho, T. H., & Riyanta, S. (2025). Comparative Analysis Of Indonesia’s Land And Sea Border Vulnerabilities: Immigration Law Enforcement Study In 2024. Eduvest-Journal Of Universal Studies, 5(11), 14198–14208.

Hananto, P. W., Prananda, R. R., Herawati, R., & Irawati, I. (2022). The Effectiveness Of Special Arrangements And Basic Agreements In Overcoming Statelessness Issues At The Border Between Indonesia And Papua New Guinea. Masalah-Masalah Hukum, 51(2), 117–129. https://doi.org/10.14710/Mmh.51.2.2022.117-129

Harefa, Faonaso, & Supriyadi, A. A. (2025). Leadership Strategies For Enhancing Border Security In Papua: A Collaborative Approach To Surveillance And Threat Management. Journal Of National Paradigm-Based Resilience Strategy, 2(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.61511/Napbres.V2i1.2025.1731

Helström, K. (2026). Case Study Methodology In Qualitative Research. In Approaches To Qualitative Research (Pp. 141–147). Routledge.

Johnston, M. P. (2014). Secondary Data Analysis: A Method Of Which The Time Has Come. Qualitative And Quantitative Methods In Libraries, 3, 619–626.

Kalalo, J. J. J., Silambi, E. D., Maturbongs, E. E., & Marpaung, D. N. (2025). Protecting Indigenous Rights In The Indonesia–Papua New Guinea Border Area. Jurnal Ius Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 13(2), 309–325. https://doi.org/10.29303/Ius.V13i2.1536

Kohsaka, R., & Rogel, M. (2021). Traditional And Local Knowledge For Sustainable Development: Empowering The Indigenous And Local Communities Of The World (Pp. 1261–1273). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95963-4_17

Mamokhere, J., & Meyer, D. F. (2022). Including The Excluded In The Integrated Development Planning Process For Improved Community Participation. International Journal Of Research In Business And Social Science (2147- 4478), 11(4), 286–299. https://doi.org/10.20525/Ijrbs.V11i4.1806

Mandibondibo, P., Wanggai, S., Korwa, J., Lada, Y., Utami, G. P., Rumabar, B., & Hardiansyah, D. (2022). State Borders As Center Of Economic Growth: Case Study Of The East Arso District In The Indonesia – Papua New Guinea Border. Papua Journal Of Diplomacy And International Relations, 2(1), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.31957/Pjdir.V2i1.1966

Maruf, A. (2021). Legal Aspects Of Environment In Indonesia: An Efforts To Prevent Environmental Damage And Pollution. Journal Of Human Rights, Culture And Legal System, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.53955/Jhcls.V1i1.4

Metherall, N., De Fretes, D. R., Mandibondibo, F., & Caucau, T. (2022). Assessing The Development Impact Of The Sota Border Post Connecting Indonesia And Papua New Guinea. Papua Journal Of Diplomacy And International Relations, 2(2), 95–122. https://doi.org/10.31957/Pjdir.V2i2.2209

Mika, M., Rumbiak, G., Fauzi, A., Hakim, D. B., & Kolopaking, L. (2022). Analysis Of Strategic Variables For The Development Of Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Area. https://doi.org/10.29313/Mimbar.V0i0.8

Morgan, H. (2024). Using Triangulation And Crystallization To Make Qualitative Studies Trustworthy And Rigorous. The Qualitative Report, 29(7), 1844–1856.

Ncube, I., Chigwada, J., Ngulube, P., & Maluleka, J. R. (2025). South African Journal Of Information Management. https://doi.org/10.4102/Sajim

Norotouw, P. (2017). Indonesia-PNG Border Security.

Nuri, R. P., Aldersey, H. M., Ghahari, S., & Dassah, E. (2026). Barriers And Facilitators In Accessing Education In Mainstream Schools For Children With Disabilities In Bangladesh: A Qualitative Secondary Data Analysis. International Journal Of Disability, Development And Education, 73(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912x.2024.2417287

Ogbonna, C. N., Lenshie, N. E., & Nwangwu, C. (2023). Border Governance, Migration Securitisation, And Security Challenges In Nigeria. Society, 60(3), 297–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12115-023-00855-8

Ohoiwutun, Y. (2023). Development Of The Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Interstate Border. International Journal Of Sustainable Development And Planning, 18(8), 2579–2585. https://doi.org/10.18280/Ijsdp.180830

Ohoiwutun, Y., Muttaqin, M. Z., Tebay, V., Ilham, I., & Renyaan, D. (2024). The Role Of The Central And Regional Governments Of Indonesia In The Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Development Policy. Revista Brasileira De Políticas Públicas, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.5102/Rbpp.V13i3.8851

Pakasi, U., Faridz, M., Majid, H., & Susilawati, S. (2024). Border Governance Through Local Community Empowerment: Insights From Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Borderline. Otoritas : Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, 14(3), 693–711. https://doi.org/10.26618/Ojip.V14i3.15399

Papua, J. A., & Siborutorop, J. (2025). Cenderawasih: Cross-Border Inequality Between Indonesian Papua And Papua New Guinea: A Developmental State Perspective. https://doi.org/10.31957/Jap.V6i1.4152

Pugu, M. R., & Pusung, M. (2025). Socio-Economic Dynamics At The Border: A Case Study Of The Sota, Merauke Cross-Border Post And Its Implications For Cooperation With Papua New Guinea. Journal Of Social Research, 4(9). https://doi.org/10.55324/Josr.V4i9.2782

Pugu, M. R., Yani, Y. M., & Wardhana, W. (2019). Pembangunan Infrastruktur Di Perbatasan Papua: Upaya Menjamin Human Security Dan Melawan Perdagangan Illegal Lintas Batas. Masyarakat Indonesia, 45(1), 76–92.

Purwanto, H., Gede, D., & Mangku, S. (2017). Border Security In Indonesia And Papua New Guinea. South East Asia Journal Of Contemporary Business, Economics And Law, 12. http://Press-Files.Anu.Edu.Au/Downloads/Press/P66801/Mobile/Ch14.Html

Radhova, S. S., Berutu, S. P., & Ardini, A. (2026). A Legal Analysis Of The Application Of Strict Liability And The Role Of Courts In Civil Litigation For Environmental Pollution. Al-Adalah: Jurnal Hukum Dan Politik Islam, 11(2), 261–280.

Senis, Y., Pulubuhu, D. A., Abdullah, S., & Sakaria, S. (2025). Transformation Of Papuan Independence Values: Looking At The Conflict In Papua Through Post-Secular Society Perspective. Jurnal Sosiologi Walisongo, 9(2), 141–154.

Singh, B. (2017). Papua: Geopolitics And The Quest For Nationhood. Routledge.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature Review As A Research Methodology: An Overview And Guidelines. Journal Of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Jbusres.2019.07.039

Standen, E. (2025). Inclusive Science Communication-Considering Decolonisation. The Australian National University (Australia).

Teturan, Y. E., Suwitri, S., Warella, Y., & Warsono, H. (2019). The Management Of Border Area Between Indonesia Republic And Papua New Guinea In Sota Region Of Merauke District. Prizren Social Science Journal, 3(1), 18–31. https://doi.org/10.32936/Pssj.V3i1.76

Tracy, S. J. (2026). Practicing Qualitative Research Under The “Big Tent”: Origins, Development, And Continuing Relevance Of The Eight Big-Tent Framework For Qualitative Quality. Qualitative Inquiry, 32(3–4), 247–256.

Yin, R. K., Calvin, Y., & Mali, G. (2018). 61 A Book Review: Case Study Title: Case Study Research And Applications: Design And Methods (6 Th Ed.). https://doi.org/10.1563