Merauke Regency


Merauke is a regency in Papua Province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 46,791.63 km2, and had a population of 195,716 at the 2010 Census; the latest official estimate is 223,389.

History

The regency formerly covered a much wider area of South Papua, but much of the area was split off on 12 November 2002 to form the new Regencies of Asmat, Mappi and Boven Digoel.

Administrative districts

Merauke Regency comprises twenty districts, listed below with their areas and populations at the 2010 Census and according to the later official estimates as at 2017:
DistrictArea
in km2		Population
2010 Census		Population
2017
Estimate
Kimaam4,630.305,6056,214
Waan2,868.064,3645,046
Tabonji5,416.844,9415,798
Ilwayab1,999.084,9415,798
Okaba1,560.504,7525,501
Tubang2,781.182,1692,529
Ngguti3,554.621,8172,111
Kaptel2,384.051,6811,963
Kurik977.0513,16214,878
Malind490.608,7539,961
Animha1,465.601,8812,199

DistrictArea
in km2		Population
2010 Census		Population
2017
Estimate
Merauke1,445.6387,63499,968
Semangga326.9512,81614,462
Tanah Miring1,516.6716,78118,966
Jagebob1,364.966,9437,801
Sota2,843.212,8313,272
Naukenjerai905.861,8302,111
Muting3,501.675,0365,705
Eligobel1,666.233,7484,053
Ulilin5,092.574,0424,534
Totals46,791.63195,716213,484

Merauke District is scheduled to become an independent city separate from Merauke Regency, and will become the administrative capital of the proposed South Papua Province, when that is established.

Forests

Much of the area of Merauke Regency is covered by forests.
MIFEE is a project for use of a big area for industry and also palm oil and food crops agriculture including land grabbing.
MIFEE is supported by the national government.
There is much indigenous opposition to the MIFEE project.
The MIFEE project is expected to cover a 1.2 million hectare area, or a quarter of Merauke.
The project threatens conservation areas, such as virgin forests and water catchment areas, as well as the habitat of indigenous peoples in Papua.
There were substantial forest fires.
Freeport McMoran copper and gold mine has displaced thousands of Papuans and has destroyed vast stretches of pristine forest.