Pari Island: Women of Resilience Lead Dual Battle Against Climate Change and Corporate Encroachment

On the tranquil shores of Pari Island, a small Indonesian outpost nestled within the Thousand Islands regency, approximately two hours by ferry from North Jakarta, the fight for survival and self-determination unfolds daily. Here, 60-year-old Wina Sabenah moves with practiced grace along the coastline, her back slightly hunched as she meticulously inspects young mangrove saplings. These delicate plants, set in neat rows months ago by Wina and her peers, are more than just greenery; they are a living testament to a community’s fierce resolve. Armed with a pen, paper, and ruler, Wina and her fellow islanders carefully measure each growing plant, ensuring its roots hold firm against the relentless tidal currents and incoming waves that threaten to reclaim their ancestral land.

These vigilant women are part of the Pari Island Women’s Group, a formidable collective dedicated to safeguarding their 43-hectare island – an area roughly equivalent to 60 football fields – from the encroaching threats of both environmental degradation and corporate acquisition. Their overarching mission is deeply personal: to preserve Pari Island as a vibrant home for generations to come, ensuring their children and grandchildren can continue the life their ancestors built. "I joined the Pari Island Women’s Group to hold onto my birthplace and so that my children and grandchildren can also continue living here. This is our home," affirms Wina, a grandmother whose commitment echoes the sentiments of many on the island.

The Pari Island Women’s Group, founded in 2017 by the dynamic 43-year-old Asmania (known affectionately as Sister Aas), regularly orchestrates activities ranging from vital mangrove planting and beach cleaning to sustainable tourism initiatives. These efforts serve a dual purpose: to protect their fragile environment and to create sustainable livelihoods for their families. Their activism is set against a backdrop of stark environmental vulnerability; Pari Island sits a mere 1.5 meters above sea level, and alarming reports predict that significant portions of it could be submerged by 2050 due to rising sea levels exacerbated by global climate change.

In a remarkable development that garnered international headlines, a Swiss court in December last year agreed to hear a landmark case initiated by Asmania and three other Pari Island residents against Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement manufacturers. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for climate-related losses already experienced by the islanders and demands that the Swiss-based corporation drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This unprecedented legal challenge highlights the growing global trend of communities seeking accountability from major polluters, pushing the boundaries of corporate environmental responsibility.

The Undercurrent of Land Disputew

While the climate lawsuit has brought global attention, a less-known but equally critical struggle underlies the women’s environmental and economic activities: a protracted and bitter land ownership dispute. In 2014, PT Bumi Pari Asri, a company specializing in land and property development, laid claim to a substantial portion of Pari Island. This assertion ignited a fierce challenge from islanders and rights groups, who questioned the legitimacy of the land ownership certificates and right-to-build permits issued to the company.

Slamet Huzaini, a field supervisor for PT Bumi Pari Asri, maintains that all certificates were obtained legally from the North Jakarta National Land Agency. The company claims ownership of approximately 90 percent of the island, citing 62 freehold certificates (Hak Milik, the highest form of land ownership in Indonesia) and 14 right-to-build permits (Hak Guna Bangunan), which grant the firm legal rights to construct and own buildings on land it doesn’t fully own. This extensive claim, covering nearly the entire island, directly threatens the ancestral homes and livelihoods of its long-term residents.

The women’s ecological initiatives and advocacy have thus evolved into a powerful form of resistance against what they perceive as corporate encroachment that could lead to the island’s destruction and their displacement. For them, planting mangroves and seagrass, diligently cleaning beaches, and even operating small tourism businesses are not merely environmental acts; they are strategic maneuvers to protect their tiny island from both ecological damage, such as erosion, and the existential threat posed by PT Bumi Pari Asri. These activities also provide vital income streams, bolstering the community’s economic resilience.

"Security officers (from the company) used to tell me that I cannot plant plants. But now they don’t dare to stop me anymore because I have a lot of support from Jakarta-based right groups," Wina asserts, highlighting a shift in power dynamics. Slamet from PT Bumi Pari Asri, however, states that the company does not object to the Pari Island Women’s Group’s activities, provided they are not conducted on private land owned by the firm. "We support the activities undertaken by the women’s groups, especially those related to the environment. However, they shouldn’t be carried out illegally. At the very least, as the owners, we should be informed," Slamet contends, claiming the women are farming on company land. He clarifies that "as for the mangroves, those are in the marine area, that does not belong to us." This distinction, however, offers little solace to islanders whose lives are intrinsically tied to the entire island ecosystem.

Land Dispute Ignites Women’s Activism

Asmania, the founder of the Pari Island Women’s Group, explains that the women’s heightened involvement arose directly from the intense pressures their community faced during the escalating land dispute. Initially, only the men actively protested the company’s claims, with their wives offering steadfast support from the sidelines. However, as the realization dawned that generations of islanders could face eviction, the women understood they needed to take a more direct and proactive role.

"We are fighting back through farming, even though, at first, we had no knowledge of how to cultivate the land," Asmania shared. Their initial efforts were grassroots: planting essential crops, tending to the beaches, and producing traditional foods such as salted fish, fish crackers, and dodol (a sticky sweet made from seaweed), which were then sold to the growing number of tourists visiting the island. Over time, their activities expanded to include the critical planting of mangroves and seagrass, recognizing their vital role in preventing coastal erosion and sustaining marine life.

At its peak, the group boasted around 50 members, though today it has settled to about 20 active participants. The reduction is largely attributed to the fear of legal repercussions, a palpable concern after a troubling incident in 2017. Local media reported that three islanders managing eco-tourism initiatives were arrested on charges of extortion and illegal occupation of land claimed by PT Bumi Pari Asri. While the Jakarta High Court overturned these convictions in 2018, ruling that no crime had been committed, the arrests cast a chilling shadow over community activism.

The standoff between the Pari Island Women’s Group and PT Bumi Pari Asri has attracted significant attention and support from civil society organizations, most notably the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta). Fadhil Alfathan, LBH Jakarta’s director, explained that the organization became involved due to the profound implications of private interests claiming public land on Pari Island. Residents have consistently questioned the validity of PT Bumi Pari Asri’s certificates, alleging that signatures were collected under false pretenses, with residents believing they were signing documents related to securing electricity for the island, only to find their names tied to land transactions.

In 2018, the Indonesian Ombudsman, an independent body investigating complaints against government agencies, found evidence of maladministration regarding PT Bumi Pari Asri’s certificates. Maladministration, in this context, implies improper management, poor governance, or a failure to follow proper rules in the issuance of these critical land documents, suggesting potential irregularities or even corruption. Despite this official finding, the dispute remains unresolved. PT Bumi Pari Asri has maintained its claim of lawful ownership, and the Jakarta National Land Agency, despite being mandated to issue a definitive decision within 30 working days of the Ombudsman’s finding in April 2018, has yet to do so, leaving the islanders in a perilous state of uncertainty. Slamet from PT Bumi Pari Asri disputes the residents’ allegations regarding deceptive signature collection, asserting that land transactions involved willing sellers. He also claims that the National Land Agency has since "rectified" the matter and clarified that no maladministration occurred, a statement CNA is seeking to verify with the relevant land agencies.

The Landmark Lawsuit Against Holcim

Beyond the immediate struggle for land, the Pari Island community, through Asmania and three other residents—Arif Pujianto, Mustaghfirin, and Edi Mulyono—launched a groundbreaking complaint against the global cement giant Holcim in January 2023. Filed in a Swiss court in Zug, the lawsuit demands financial compensation for the tangible losses caused by climate change and calls for Holcim to contribute to protective measures on the island. Crucially, the islanders also seek a court order compelling Holcim to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The suit, backed by various international NGOs, represents a pioneering effort to hold a major corporation accountable for its contribution to global warming and its localized impacts.

Holcim, a Swiss company and one of the world’s largest cement producers, operates in an industry recognized as a major contributor to global carbon emissions. The company states its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through a science-based approach and argues that "the courtroom is not an appropriate platform to address the global challenge of climate change." However, the court in Zug, in a significant ruling in December 2025, decided to allow the lawsuit to proceed on its merits, stating that its decisions "do not replace democratically legitimised climate protection policies but complement them." This decision, the first climate lawsuit against a major company in Switzerland, established a crucial precedent for corporate climate responsibility. Holcim has indicated it will appeal, reiterating its stance that emission policies should be determined by lawmakers, not civil courts. In a further boost for the plaintiffs, the High Court of Zug approved Asmania and her co-plaintiffs’ application for legal aid in March, ensuring their ability to continue this complex and costly legal battle.

Planting Mangroves, Building Lives

For 29-year-old housewife Sarah, a member of the Pari Island Women’s Group, one of the most profound lessons came from an unexpected source: the humble mangrove. What once seemed like an "ordinary plant" transformed into a symbol of resilience and a critical natural defense. Sarah learned that mangroves are indispensable as natural barriers against coastal erosion, their intricate root systems stabilizing soil and dissipating wave energy. Moreover, they create vital habitats that support thriving fish populations, directly impacting the livelihoods of Pari Island’s 1,200 residents, most of whom depend on fishing. "I used to think mangroves were just ordinary plants, but it turns out they are useful for absorbing carbon and serve as a natural barrier against erosion," Sarah explains. She points to tangible evidence: "This Rengge beach, for example, has suffered severe erosion as 9 meters of land has been lost here."

Oceanographer Widodo Pranowo from Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) corroborates the critical role of mangroves. He explains that Pari Island’s coastline is dynamically shaped by seasonal monsoon-driven water movements and its inherent physical structure, both contributing to chronic coastal erosion. While mangrove restoration is crucial, it is merely one component of a more complex coastal defense system. Pranowo outlines three essential natural barriers: coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. "The outermost layer consists of coral reefs, followed by seagrass beds, and then mangroves, the plants that grow along the shoreline," he elaborates. "When coastal erosion occurs, we need to check whether the coral reefs are still thriving and if there is still abundant seagrass. If not, mangroves are the only remaining line of defense capable of protecting the island."

While the Pari Island Women’s Group currently focuses on mangrove and seagrass planting, their activities extend far beyond. Founder Asmania notes that increased tourism has opened new avenues for income, with islanders establishing homestays, food stalls, and offering services like catering and boat rentals for snorkelers. The group has also innovated with hydroponics farming, a soil-less cultivation method. This venture initially faced a significant challenge: a limited supply of clean water in the plantation area due to high salt concentrations. Islanders had to purchase clean water at 5,000 rupiah (US$0.28) per gallon, needing up to 10 gallons daily for their hydroponics.

Ramadhan, an action coordinator with the non-governmental organization Enter Nusantara, details how his organization stepped in to help. They installed a reverse osmosis (RO) system, a sophisticated water purification technology that removes up to 98 percent of dissolved solids, heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals, making the water suitable for both hydroponics and drinking. To power this system sustainably, Enter Nusantara also assisted the group in setting up solar panels, which now produce an average of 1,193 watts daily. "The installation of the solar power system and reverse osmosis unit enables residents to cut the costs of purchasing clean water for their hydroponics gardens and daily drinking needs," Ramadhan explains. This technological empowerment not only enhances self-sufficiency but also serves as a powerful example of decentralized energy transition and climate crisis awareness.

Pari Island’s Future: A Microcosm of a National Struggle

The conflicts enveloping Pari Island are far from isolated incidents in archipelagic Indonesia, experts warn. Fikerman Saragih, secretary-general of the Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA), points to similar disputes emerging across Indonesia, from North to South Sulawesi, where permits covering community-used spaces are often issued to businesses by the government without prior consultation or knowledge of the residents. He underscores that in coastal communities, women are particularly vulnerable when environmental changes disrupt the economic activities their families rely on. Large-scale alterations to coastal areas, such as those brought by unchecked development, can severely disrupt crucial mangrove ecosystems, highlighting the intrinsic link between development policy and the environmental systems sustaining island communities. KIARA has thus supported the Pari Island Women’s Group by conducting sharing sessions on relevant laws and policies, empowering them with legal knowledge.

Roni Septian, head of policy and advocacy at the Consortium for Agrarian Reform, echoes this sentiment, asserting that the Pari Island case must be viewed within the broader context of agrarian conflicts plaguing coastal areas and small islands across Indonesia. "The issue is not merely about land conflict, but about who controls agrarian politics and the allocation of land," Roni explains. He contends that these conflicts persist because government permits are frequently prioritized over the recognition of community rights and essential social and ecological protections. As long as coastal areas and small islands are primarily treated as economic commodities rather than living spaces for communities, disputes like that on Pari Island will continue to manifest in various forms, threatening the very fabric of these vulnerable societies.

The stakes are further amplified by Pari Island’s inherent physical vulnerability as a small island grappling with the immediate effects of climate change. For the Pari Island Women’s Group, the core question remains the future of their livelihoods and their very existence. Founder Asmania articulates a clear vision: the islanders have demonstrated their capacity to create sustainable economic opportunities and safeguard their environment. "Our wish is very simple. Let us manage our island, our sea, and our land, because we know how to take care of them all," she states, encapsulating the profound desire for self-determination and the sustainable guardianship of their ancestral home. Their dual battle against corporate encroachment and the ravages of climate change is not just a fight for a small island; it is a powerful testament to community resilience and a global call for justice.