Community-based natural resource management in conservation efforts of the Watershed: Case study of Keseneng Village, Sumowono Subdistrict, Semarang District, Central Java

Abstract

Emilia F, Hendrarto B, Taruna T. 2013. Community-based natural resource management in conservation efforts of the Watershed: Case study of Keseneng Village, Sumowono Subdistrict, Semarang District, Central Java. Bonorowo Wetlands 3: 73-100. The implementation of top-down model and centralized management are believed as the main reasons for the failure of watershed management (Daerah Aliran Sungai/DAS) in Indonesia. The failure has prompted the watershed management to the new paradigm in participatory natural resource management namely community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) in the village level. This study aimed to evaluate the function/activities of management and also to analyze several aspects of CBNRM in Keseneng village. The required data is needed for this study consist of primary data and secondary data. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews of villagers, Semarang District, and a NGO (Komunitas Salunding). Data analysis was conducted by qualitatively descriptive approach of the function/activity management, as well as several aspects of CBNRM. The results showed that four management activities performed by the villagers themselves are good and also in participatory ways. At the same time, Semarang District-Local government and a NGO (Komunitas Salunding) work as the facilitators in Watershed Management. The result of research also shows that the management also success in the community-based aspects, which consist of five aspects, namely equity, empowerment, conflict resolution, knowledge and awareness, and biodiversity protection of biodiversity, but there is a failure in the aspect in the sustainable utilization.Based on these results, the recommendations can be presented are the need for policymakers to support villagers initiatives based on community natural resource management, the need to conduct a conceptual model CBNRM replication, and also Keseneng Village should work in partnership with neighboring villages to support the success of the six aspects of CBNRM.