STRATEGY FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY-RELIANCE IN MANAGING AND UTILIZING COMMUNITY FORESTS THROUGH THE POLICY OF COMMUNITY FORESTS DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The objective of this research is to provide policy recommendation with regard to strategy formulation for the development of community forests. The policy recommendation aims to improve local people's economy, to alleviate poverty and to achieve community-reliance through the utilization of community forest programs. This study is also aimed to strengthen roles and functions of various institutions to be synergized in empowerment activities in line with the jurisdiction of rights for management and utilization of community forest. This research used descriptive qualitative approach. Data was collected from Tanggamus Regency in Lampung Province of Indonesia through interviews. Secondary data was also obtained from related sources: literature and government regulations. This study found that the implementation of community forest policy is merely based on the government regulation. Another finding is that empowerment practices undertaken in the community forest is still lack of the involement of stakeholders. In addition, there is a positive impact in the practice of community forest which can be seen from the level of public awareness to the forest and in planting crops. Therefore, this research suggests that: first, there is the need of policy to overcome bureaucratic system in applying the community forest management permits; second, it needs a new formulation of budget to facilitate the community in the application of the community forest management.