PERAN MASYARAKAT DALAM PENGELOLAAN EKOSISTEM MANGROVE UNTUK MITIGASI BENCANA: Studi di Segara Anakan, Kab. Cilacap

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystem in the Segara Anakan (SA) has a high diverse vegetation. However this ecosystem acreage has been shrinking continues due to sedimentation and people intervention. A set of policies, including institutional development has been set up and implemented but these policies have not achieved their target goals. Weak community participation in the management of the ecosystem was due to low education level and welfare of the community in this area, limited community empowerment programs, and weak social institution arrangements. This condition causes continuation of encroachment and land-use changes of the mangrove ecosystem by the community. This research used a qualitative approach and its aims to analysis to what degree the community role has played and what policy option should be taken to strengthen the community role in the SA lagoon. Results of this study indicated that the existence of complexity problems of authorities arrangement between central and local governments, socio-cultural system, and frequent changes of officers in this mangrove ecosystem conservation have made some degree of difficulty to solve the problem. Policy alternatives recommended from this research in order to improve community role in this mangrove ecosystem management are empowerment of community role such as affirmative policy for the SA ecosystem management, empowerment of public and social institution on conservation activities, development of the lagoon as an ecotourism area with faster rate, and strengthening efforts to promote the importance of the mangrove ecosystem for the young generation in the surrounding SA Lagoon areas.