The vegetation structure and economic value of Arenga pinnata Merr by community surrounding forest of Mount Halimun Salak National Park, Indonesia

Abstract

Aren is a non-timber forest product in Mount Halimun Salak National Park (MHSNP) that supports conservation and community welfare. This study was conducted to determine the potential economic value of aren for the local community. Sukajaya Village was selected purposively as the center of palm sugar production. The data were collected by vegetation inventory and interviews in Sukajaya Village selected by random sampling. Vegetation measurements were done in the forest areas of Mount Rongocongo, i.e., Cibedug Resort. In the mixed garden of MHSNP forest areas, the aren’s density was 237 trees per ha with an Important Value Index (IVI) of 139.59%. Unfortunately, there was no regeneration of aren seedling. Aren tapping is an essential livelihood. Thirty farmers who work as tappers as their main or side jobs earn an average of IDR 654,000 months−1 individual−1. This figure accounts for 64.36% of the total household income of farmers. To eliminate the conflict areas, the local community needs to cultivate aren and fruits from forest areas near their settlement, or boundary land of MHSNP closed to their settlement. Derivation and product variations such as nira processing into powdered palm sugar and processing the sugar palm fruit are also important to increase their economic value. Therefore, the local community around MHSNP needs assistance and institution to develop the utilization of aren plantation.