Conflict transformation and collaboration in developing social forestry in Flores, Indonesia

Social movements to realize forest tenure reforms have been ongoing since the 1970s, particularly through policies under the broad umbrella of social forestry. In Indonesia, social forestry programs are initiated by the government, communities, NGOs, academics, companies, and donors, and are based on specific socio-economic and ecological interests. Weak synergies, however between programmatic implementation and stakeholder interests, triggers various forest tenure conflicts. The research examines the complexity of these conflicts, namely focusing around the approaches to conflict transformation that can lead to collaboration in realizing forest sustainability that also support interests of people living in and around forests. I employed a qualitative approach by collecting data through in-depth interviews and participatory observations in Flores in 2017 and 2020. The results show that forest tenure conflicts have occurred since the 1970s due to state forest territorialization. Conflicts culminated in the determination of state forest area boundaries through the 1984 state program entitled the “consensus-based forest land use planning” initiative. Until 2008, efforts to resolve conflicts by offering the community access rights through community forestry programs initiated by the government were rejected by NGOs and the local community. NGOs facilitated communities to demand the return of state forest land as customary forest. This conflict presented the opportunity to facilitate multi-stakeholder forestry programs through a conflict transformation approach by building long-term stakeholder collaboration. Since 2010, the collaboration between stakeholders took place through the community forest program. This study shows the need for more direct attention to studying conflict resolution under an integrated and long-term approach to conflict transformation and collaboration. Pragmatically, this study shows the importance of integrated social forestry policies that synergize various schemes initiated by stakeholders to realize forest sustainability and support local community interests.

Can Forest Management Units Improve Community Access to the Forest?

This paper examines the Forest Management Unit's (FMU) role in enhancing access to forest area utilization, especially in production and protected community-based forests, to suppress the rate of deforestation. We research five FMU in central Sulawesi. The analysis method is qualitative based on emic information from FMU, community, academic, local government, and direct field observations. This paper explains that public access in forest resource utilization is a deciding factor in helping the community face the impact of economic crises. To make it happen, the primary role of FMU is necessary. FMU Should be increasing public access to the state-owned forest by optimizing the facilitating functions. Providing investment opportunities for forest management based on the community in partnership schemes can realize a broad impact and national issues on empowering forest communities. FMU can also prioritize the partnership cooperation programs by implementing social forestry programs, instantly absorbing significant community participation.

ANALISIS KINERJA PENURUNAN DEFORESTASI DI 10 IZIN HUTAN DESA KECAMATAN BATU AMPAR

The effectiveness of devolution policies through social forestry programs in village forest schemes is still being debated at regional, national, and international levels. It departs from the fact that the community has limited resources in managing forests in the long run (35 years). The background of this research is to measure the implementation of devolution policy in 10 granted village forest licenses in the sub-district of Batu Ampar, Kubu Raya District, and its relationship with deforestation rates. The study was conducted by survey method and data collection with literature studies and observations. Observation aims to measure the biophysical condition of the forest as well as the social and economic conditions of the community in the village. The data is processed and analyzed using spatial analysis and performance analysis. The results showed that the devolution policy through the issuance of 10 village forest licenses was proven to be able to improve performance in reducing deforestation, especially after one year of the village forest permits were granted. Keywords: devolution, social forestry, village forest, deforestation, performance AbstrakEfektifitas kebijakan devolusi melalui program perhutanan sosial skema hutan desa masih menjadi perdebatan di level regional, nasional, dan internasional. Hal ini berangkat dari fakta keterbatasan sumber daya yang dimiliki masyarakat dalam mengelola hutan dalam jangka waktu panjang (35 tahun). Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengurai implementasi kebijakan devolusi di 10 izin hutan desa Kecamatan Batu Ampar, Kabupaten Kubu Raya, dan pengaruhnya terhadap laju deforestasi. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode survei. Pengumpulan data dengan studi literatur dan observasi. Observasi bertujuan untuk mengetahui kondisi biofisik hutan serta kondisi sosial dan ekonomi masyarakat di desa. Data-data diolah dan dianalisis menggunakan analisis spasial dan analisis kinerja. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kebijakan devolusi melalui pemberian 10 izin hutan desa telah terbukti secara kumulatif mampu meningkatkan kinerja positif dalam penurunan deforestasi, terutama setelah satu tahun izin hutan desa diberikan.Kata kunci: devolusi, perhutanan sosial, hutan desa, deforestasi, kinerja

Environment and/(or) Development: Competing Narratives from Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka

The Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka well known as the “Pepper Queen” during colonial times gradually declined in stature and came to be known as a backward, forest district in need of “development.” These concerns framed the post-independence debates on the development of the district in terms of forestry programs and hydroelectric power projects, to help in the growth story of India. In the post-liberalization period, we have observed increasing market- and state-led drives of “resource development and conservation.” In recent years, international recognitions have come to the region’s sustainable agricultural practices and to its rich biodiversity, and it is declared a Heritage site. The dominant agricultural community of the region, the Havyaks, known for their environmentally sustainable spice garden farming, are credited with spearheading environmental movements against the material practices of the state. This article attempts to understand the complex social ecology of the region and the multiple ways in which it is portrayed and the way people talk about it. It attempts to juxtapose the environmental narrative along with the development narrative of the district and to understand and map the complex ground realities that exist interlinking the local with the global.

Analisis Keterlibatan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat dalam Program Hutan Kemasyarakatan di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat

This paper aims to analyze the involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of forestry policy frame with focus on the Community Forestry program in West Nusa Tenggara. The method in this study is using literature studies. The Data sources uses secondary data such as documents, legislation, articles and books containing the participation of NGOs in forestry programs. In the implementation of the HKm’s program is to realize democratization that is very strategic. It is because NGOs as a representation the needs and aspirations of people in forest areas. In the realm of policy, Forestry NGOs in NTB region synergized with all stakeholders that involved in the Community Forest program, ranging from formulation to evaluation. The involvement of NGOs in the community of HKm area is manifested by the assistance and business development of the community in the management of Non-Timber Forest Products (HHBK). Monitoring and evaluation efforts as a basis for government policy advocacy to fit the community context is a form of NGO participation in forestry policy. However, as an independent organization, NGOs rely on the availability of fund in handling the empowerment program.

Traditional uses of Detarium Microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae) and Potential for its Valorisation as Fuelwood

Background: Forest management can be sustainable if it integrates social, cultural and economic values ​​that local communities associate with forest resources in a given area. Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae), also known as small detar or sweet detar, is a common multiuse small tree of Sudanese and Sudano-Guinean savannahs with high potential for use as fuelwood or fruit tree but little valued in forestry programs. The present countrywide study aims to assess the compatibility of current local uses of Detarium microcarpum with its promotion as fuelwood and to determine the most suitable areas for its integration into forest management programs. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the basis of a semi-structured questionnaire among 1074 people selected randomly in 10 of the 12 departments of Benin where the species is present. Factors determining Detarium microcarpum use as fuelwood were identified through a binary logistic regression. A Factorial Correspondence Analysis established the relationship between socio-cultural groups and the use of Detarium microcarpum parts or organs.Results: A total of 671 people (62.47%) know and use at least one part of Detarium microcarpum. The trunk and branches are the most used organs (35.12% of respondents), primarily as fuelwood. The determinants of Detarium microcarpum use as fuelwood are the phytogeographic district (a proxy for the resource availability), gender, sociolinguistic group, and educational level. Detarium microcarpum is more used as fuelwood by women belonging to the sociolinguistic groups Gourmatche, Kounteni, Boo, Monkole, Gando and Bariba. In addition, the use of Detarium microcarpum as fuelwood decreases with the educational level and is more pronounced in the phytogeographical districts of Borgou-Nord, Atacora chain and Borgou-Sud, covering together about 63% of the national territory and representing 28% of its population. Conclusions: This study confirms the potential of Detarium microcarpum as fuelwood, particularly in northern Benin, and calls for further research on the species local abundance and structure, regeneration, silviculture and management mode.

Bioeconomy perception by future stakeholders: Hearing from European forestry students

This article provides useful information for universities offering forestry programs and facing the growing demand for bioeconomy education. An explorative survey on bioeconomy perception among 1400 students enrolled in 29 universities across nine European countries offering forestry programs was performed. The data have been elaborated via descriptive statistics and cluster analysis. Around 70% of respondents have heard about the bioeconomy, mainly through university courses. Students perceive forestry as the most important sector for bioeconomy; however, the extent of perceived importance of forestry varies between countries, most significantly across groups of countries along a North–South European axis. Although differences across bachelor and master programs are less pronounced, they shed light on how bioeconomy is addressed by university programs and the level of student satisfaction with this. These differences and particularities are relevant for potential development routes towards comprehensive bioeconomy curricula at European forestry universities with a forestry focus.

In vitro ESTABLISHMENT OF eucalyptus AND corymbia SPECIES FROM EPICORMIC SHOOTS

ABSTRACT The importance of Eucalyptus and Corymbia has been evident in forestry programs, mainly due to their adaptation to various environmental conditions and the multiple products that can be obtained. As the selection and cloning of superior individuals are usually performed in adulthood, the development and adaptation of the vegetative propagation techniques that enable the rescue and in vitro establishment of species are necessary. Thus, the present study aimed to induce epicormic shoots from pruned branches of adult trees and to promote the in vitro establishment of nine species: six of Eucalyptus and three of Corymbia. The material used to obtain the explants came from the selection of two 44-year-old mother plants of each species, from species, and provenance tests. The number of buds and shoots of each branch was evaluated at 15, 25, 35, and 45 days after the beginning of the experiment in a greenhouse. According to the results, the induction of epicormic shoots from pruned branches was considered a viable and efficient technique to obtain propagule sources from adult mother plants of all species, presenting a gradual increase in the evaluated characteristics over time. Also, in vitro culture is an effective alternative to improve the propagation of the evaluated species, with an establishment of up to 62.5%. However, for Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S Johnson and Eucalyptus tereticornis Smith it is necessary to develop further studies to enable the in vitro establishment.

Current influences in the development of future-oriented forestry programs

The survival of Rottenburg University of Applied Sciences (HFR) was repeatedly questioned politically in the mid-1990 s. This had nothing to do with the fact that well-trained forestry academics were no longer needed, but had been triggered by fiscal policy savings. The applied Universities with forestry programs (five) and forestry faculties (four) in Germany are rather small and had no strong lobby like the forestry itself. Unlike some competitors, in this precarious situation, the universities did not opt for a change in their clear forestry profile, but for a broader, future-oriented understanding of modern forestry. For this purpose, they are orientated on the experience from their own past and the discipline, analyse the developments in the industries and sectors that are close to forestry and specifically sought strategic partnerships in order to be able to expand their own field of competence. Thus, the conviction for their own development process originated, that the forestry science has come in its history from the practice, passing a period influenced by knowledge of the general sciences. After that, the universities joined a phase of the development of forestry disciplines, and now they must turn back to the practice again. In this sense, a circle seems to close here and the universities have an additional, important task to deal with: more than before, in addition to teaching and research, the transfer of research results must also be put into practice. At the same time, the process of teaching has to be designed in such a way that it also provides continuous offers for job oriented training. Therefore, the universities must be the melting pot for all relevant influences from other sciences, which are and will be important for the forestry practice. This does not create a new profile, but a broader one. As a result, we are no longer training largely equal graduates, but forestry graduates with very individual strengths, attains, and profiles who fit like different keys into the various locks of practical challenges. This path helped the HFR to safeguard its future, to meet high demand among young students and to be recognized as the "smallest university of excellence" in Germany.