Social Capital of Community Forest Management in Batutegi Forest Management Unit

Abstract

Social capital has a role in the management of Community Forests (HKm) as a resource that could encourage individuals or groups to work together in achieving mutual goals. The objective of this study was to determine the social capital of the HKm management in the area of Batutegi Forest Management Unit, Tanggamus Regency, by farmers groups as Gapoktan Sinar Harapan and Gapoktan Mahardika. Data were collected in both farmers groups through structured interviews, unstructured interviews, observations, and literature review. The social capital of the community was analyzed qualitatively using social capital elements, such as trust, social networks, and social norms. The results showed that social capital has a positive role in managing HKm to encourage the community to manage the forest in sustainable manners. The results also showed that trust in a group creates social networks. Gapoktan Sinar Harapan implemented the three elements of social capital, such as trust, social networks, and social norms in their management. Gapoktan Mahardika only implemented trust and social norms, because the member of Gapoktan Mahardika was not only consisted of local people but also some immigrants. Hence, the implementation of social networks is needed in the management of HKm by Gapoktan Mahardika. Keywords: community forest, social capital, social networks, social norms,trust