Law Enforcement and Community Participation in Combating Illegal Logging and Deforestation in Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose: This study attempts to analyze the reconstruction of law enforcement on illegal logging based on community participation and the values embodied in Pancasila as a national philosophy in Indonesia. Methodologies: This study was conducted using a normative empirical method, by employing data-driven approaches. Principal results: The results revealed that combating deforestation and illegal logging can be achieved by participatory measures with the implementation in the grassroots through community participation being taken as an important consideration to instill the principles of sustainable forest management. To obtain optimal and equitable benefits of forest resources, local community empowerment is carried out, through capacity building and providing access in order to improve their welfare. Major conclusions: The prevention and eradication of deforestation should pay attention to the principles of sustainable forest management by the government and regulatory agencies with involving grassroot level to obtain sustainable and optimal benefits of forest management. Contribution to the field: This study contributes to the intertwined relationship between law enforcement in developing forest management and social participation through a series of mechanisms and practices based on local wisdom. Important aspect of the study: The findings highlight social forestry as a sustainable forest management practice in balancing natural sustainability and social justice as law enforcement priorities. Research limitations/implications: The theoretical scope is specific to the idea of natural sustainability in the context of social justice. This has theoretical implications for further studies to provide empirical and practical justification for the implementation of social forestry in Indonesia. Practical implications: The findings practically underline the need for social forestry activities through efforts to provide legal access to local communities in the forms of forest management, business permits, plantation, partnerships, recognition and protection and customary law for community welfare and forest resource conservation. Social implications: The principles and practices of community involvement in social forestry are required to reduce poverty, unemployment and inequality in the management/utilization of forest areas.