The implementation of community-based forest management (CBFM) schemes within the protection forest management unit (PFMU) Sijunjung, Indonesia

Abstract

Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) has been implemented in West Sumatra Province since 2012 targeting 500,000 ha State forest land. It is part of a total of 12,7 million ha of forest areas designated for CBFM in Indonesia. This paper aims to describe the implementation of CBFM schemes in the working area of PFMU Sijunjung in terms of its institutional and forest utilization activities by the local community, beneficiaries of CBFM. This study was carried out in three CBFM with the forest size ranging from 217 – 504 ha. CBFM schemes implemented in this area consist of Community Plantation Forest (CPF), Community Forestry (CF), and Village or Nagari Forest (VF). The data were collected through observation and key informant interviews. The study found that Community Forestry and Community Plantation Forest are managed by re-institutionalizing existing local institutions. In contrast, Nagari Forest is managed by new institutions established by the village government. Institutional formation in each CBFM scheme is motivated by government policy. Institutions of Community Forestry and Community Plantation Forest are secure enough in terms of institutional activities, agreed rules and restrictions applied, the beneficiaries community only harvest Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This practice may lead to sustainable forest resource use. On the other hand, the new institution of Nagari forest has created a conflict of interest between the parties so that the institution becomes weak, and the rules in management are not easy to be agreed.Consequently, the community still widely practice illegal logging in various scale. This study concludes that CBFM practice should consistently encourage local institutions as the core of forest management, as stated in the PFMU long-term plan instead of establishing new institutions. Therefore, the CBFM program should strengthen local institutions and promote synergy among multi-stakeholders.