Reconciling conservation and development: the case of coffee producers in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Indonesia

Abstract

Agricultural land use on the fringe of protected areas has significant impacts on the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in the core zone. The Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) in Lampung Province, Indonesia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing habitat to endangered Sumatran tigers, rhinoceroses, and elephants. The government, conservation NGOs, and the private sector have tried to support the development of villages that border the Park, while increasing control over access to land and natural resources inside the Park. A major concern is that sections of the Park are occupied by thousands of squatters, mainly producing coffee for the international market. The purpose of this research was to explore the feasibility of a reward mechanism for farmers bordering the Park (namely, coffee certification) and to compare this with more conventional coercive measures such as fines and evictions. The research was conducted at multiple scales, from the household to the village and landscape levels. A case-study approach was used with two main cases: (1) coffee certification in West Lampung District and (2) enforcement of exclusion from Park resources in various districts. The research methods included document reviews, observation of farming systems, a livelihood survey of around 700 villagers in 20 villages near the Park boundary, and key informant interviews with village and district officials and Park management. Data were collected in two stages: an initial period of fieldwork in 2008-2010 and a follow-up visit in September 2014. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken. Key findings were: (1) despite some positive economic and social impact, coffee certification did not appear to be preventing Park encroachment; (2) enforcement was not implemented uniformly through the Park but targeted in specific zones, and the frequency and intensity of enforcement were not significant predictors of illegal land use; (3) enforcement was more effective when there were established local institutions and support was given by local leaders, but less effective when population pressure on the land was high and encroachment was backed by local elites who did not support Park protection. Policy makers need to find ways to integrate incentives with enforcement as these two are not alternatives but both are needed as minimal requirements.