Participatory land-use planning for strengthening the village land resources management: a case study of Gorontalo, Indonesia

Abstract

Sustainable land management is crucial to ensure the availability of food, water, and clean air, especially to long-term support of human well-being and health. Continuous exploitation of land resources leads to land degradation and declines in agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This study aims to strengthen land resources management at the village level through a participatory land-use planning (PLUP) approach. The research location is at Moliliulo Village, Gorontalo. Current issues on land use and land management were collected using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques. This information became a consideration in land use analysis conducted using a geographic information system (GIS). The approved future land use directions are about 88% forest (natural forest and agroforestry) and 12% non-forest (agriculture, coconut plantations, settlements, and water body). The land-use plan is essential for guiding the village government and the villagers on managing land resources. Additionally, it potentially strengthens the village development programs, social forestry management and resolves forest conflict. To ensure the implementation of land use planning, the village government should develop regulations on land use.