Impacts of the new Decentralization Law 23/2014 to the implementation of Community Based Forest Management in Lampung Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Establishment of Law 23/2014 on Local Government has shifted authority of forest resources management from district to province level, including community empowerment programs in Lampung Province such as Village Forest (Hutan Desa), Community Forest (Hutan Kemasyarakatan or HKm). This study focused on HKm because it is the largest CBFM program in Lampung Province. As a result of Law 23/2014, 16 PAK (working area designation) in 4 districts (16,961 Ha) of HKm candidates were canceled, because they cannot be extended. Under these conditions it is necessary to make a study to determine the impact and strategy of local government in dealing with Law 23/2014. The study was conducted on March-April 2016 using a qualitative approach. The selection of respondents uses purposive sampling method followed by a descriptive analysis. This research finds that local governments tend to wait until there are specific regulations set on HKm in accordance with Law 23/2014. However, it can be concluded that (1) Ministry should immediately publish the Ministry Regulation on HKm, (2) Provincial and district governments should immediately coordinate transfers of personnel, funding, facilities, and documents.