Forest conflict mitigation through coffee-based agroforestry provide secure habitat for Javan Slow Lorise in a lowland fragmented forest in Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Java Island has experienced numbers of forest conflict. Consequently, it may contribute to the disturbance of the sustainability of its forest biodiversity and increasing number of local poverty surrounding the forest area. Agroforestry system is known as one of the strategies to mitigate the forest conflict. The system helps the farmers to increase agricultural production, social life, and ecological stability. Local community in Kemuning forest had been implementing coffee-based agroforestry system for a long time, as part of their main income. This system allowed farmers to acces the forest through an intensive interaction between locals and its forest environment. This study aimed to understand the forest conflict mitigation through agroforestry practices in Kemuning forest better, which allegedly become a key factor for the sustainability of the presence of Javan slow lorise. This study builds on the assumption that people frame conflicts on Kemuning forest according to their experiences, expectations, objectives and interests at a specific moment. The basis for our analytical framework is found in theories on framing. In doing so, the study uses the framing analysis theory to identify framing of the conflict by different involved stakeholders. Data were collected in 2018 - 2019 through several techniques such as in depth interview, field observation, and study literatures. Collected data were analyzed descriptively by discussing each finding with framing analysis theory. Findings revealed that conflict in Kemuning forest were triggered by three main issue/problem frames identified as the root causes of the conflicts which are forest security, unfollow the signed contract, and an unequal benefit sharing from the coffee-based agroforestry sector. Other frames: identity, characterization, and conflict management frames were constructed in such a way to reinforce the issue/problem frames. This study also found that related to Javan slow lorise habitat, this coffee-based agroforestry system is the appropriate land use management that provide secure habitat for the sustainability of the presence of the animal within Kemuning forest.