Study of Forest Land Function Transfer and its Role in Labour Absorption, Economic Growth and Increase in Human Development Index in West Kalimantan

Abstract

Timber forests have many functions and play an essential role in human life. This means that the existence of timber forests provides many benefits for human life. Economic development activities actively implemented throughout the province of West Kalimantan have resulted in more and more areas of timber forest and rubber plantation areas being converted into oil palm plantations. The rampant development of oil palm plantations carried out by investors and those carried out independently by each resident, in essence, provides a significant enough job opportunity for the population in each area that continues to grow. Job opportunities created through economic development offer opportunities to every working population to earn income, fulfilling various life needs is mainly directed to fulfilling family nutritional consumption. If the family's nutrition is guaranteed, then the average life span of the population can be longer. In addition to meeting his family's needs, this income can also be used to finance children's education belonging to the school-age group. If the income earned by each family is large enough, then the family should be able to live in prosperity. This means that timber forest and rubber plantation areas privately owned by the community have been converted into oil palm plantations, significantly contributing to the economic growth of districts/cities in West Kalimantan province and improving the community's welfare.