The challenges and opportunities in developing empowerment programs for communities living surrounding the forest with special purposes

Abstract

Forest with Special Purpose (FwSP) is the type of forest management in Indonesia, which involves a university or training center as the main caretaker. FwSP is specifically designated to advance forestry’s research and development, education, and training in Indonesia. This article aims at mapping the problems the management of FwSP facing in dealing with the communities living surrounding the FwSP. It requires strong collaboration between local people and the FwSP to ensure that FwSP is able to preserve forest sustainability. The research utilizing mix method to collect the data from all universities FwSPs in Java Island, through online questionnaires and in-depth interviews with the directors of FwSP. The findings show FsWP face medium to serious challenges with regard to creating cooperation with local people. While all FwSP has created and implemented community development programs, building strong cooperation with local people is perceived to still require a long way to go to succeed. Most of FwSP targeted the activities to improve the quality of life i.e. alternative sources of income for local people. Developing local tourism with FwSP as the destination and involving local in developing the destination is one main long-term program agreed upon by the majority of FwSP directors.