Forest Management Units’ Role in Conserving and Maintaining Watershed Sustainability to Support Electrical Energy

Abstract

The Indonesian government developed environmentally electrical power, such as a Bakaru hydroelectric power plant (Bakaru PLTA). The Bakaru PLTA is located in the Mamasa sub-watershed. Some parts of the Mamasa sub-watershed are managed by three Forest Management Units (FMU): Mamasa Tengah FMU, Mamasa Timur FMU, and Sawitto FMU. Previous studies indicated that land-use change was a driving factor in decreasing water discharge and increasing sedimentation. Therefore, it is crucial to discover the role and influence of FMU conditions on the performance of the Bakaru PLTA. This study aims to determine Mamasa sub-watershed conditions, especially FMUs areas, to see the contribution and strategies that FMUs can carry out to support the energy production of the PLTA Bakaru. This research used the literature study method and overlaid several maps. The study showed that FMUs faced erosion, sedimentation, and degraded land, influencing Bakaru PLTA performance. The study recommends that rehabilitation be prioritized on the degraded and very degraded land categories at 27 villages in Mamasa Timur FMU, 18 villages in Mamasa Tengah FMU, and eight villages in Sawitto FMU.