When SIGAP was designed in Merabu village, securing management rights over the forest was the villagers' hope to protect and utilise the forest within the village’s administrative area. After a lengthy application process, in 2015, Merabu became the first village in Berau Regency to obtain a village forest permit (8,425 ha) from the Minister of Forestry.
Read: Supporting the Community Economy While Preserving Coastal Areas
Aligned with SIGAP’s expansion for village empowerment, YKAN’s support for social forestry has also grown significantly. As a member of the PPS Working Group (Social Forestry Acceleration Working Group) in East Kalimantan province, YKAN has been providing funding since 2020 to NGO partners to facilitate social forestry proposals.
This facilitation includes the establishment of management institutions, participatory mapping, preparation of forest management plans, and the preparation and submission of proposal documents. It also involves facilitating communication and coordination between applicant villages and the Forest Management Unit (KPH), the Forestry Service, and the Ministry of Forestry.
These NGO partners operate in different regencies and important landscapes: Yayasan Biosfer Manusia (BIOMA) in Kutai Kartanegara, Kawal Borneo Community Foundation (KBCF) in East Kutai, Pekumpulan Selaras Alam (PSA), and Perkumpulan Perisai in Berau. The areas facilitated for social forestry proposals are much larger, but processing is limited due to the village forest area restriction, which cannot exceed 5,000 ha. Additionally, many partnership forestry scheme proposals between forest farmer groups (KTH) and logging companies—formerly known as HPH (forest concession rights) and now PBPH (forest utilisation business permits)—have not been processed further due to concerns about placing a burden on the companies.
These NGOs have made significant contributions to the expansion of social forestry in East Kalimantan, which grew from 170,723 ha (63 units) in 2020 to 325,880 ha (178 units) in 2024. The majority—281,386 ha (83 units)—comprises village forests.
YKAN's support as a member of the PPS Working Group in North Kalimantan for accelerating the expansion of social forestry is manifested through funding support to NGO partners, namely the Sustainable Forest Association (PLHL) and the Environmental Care Association (PERDU). This support facilitates coordination with the Forest Management Unit (KPH) of Bulungan to assist in the submission of social forestry applications in the Kayan River landscape.
The district government provides support for the recognition process of customary law (MHA) and for submitting applications for customary forest designation to the Minister of Forestry. Legal experts from Parakayu and Gadjah Mada University are providing input and support to the Indigenous Community Recognition Committee (PPMHA) in Bulungan Regency. They are assisting with receiving applications and conducting verifications. The Punan Batu Sajau community was recognized as an indigenous community. This group received the Kalpataru Award for its environmental conservation efforts. During the Kalpataru Award ceremony on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024, in Jakarta, the Minister of Forestry presented the Punan Batu Sajau community with an application for the designation of their customary forest.
In Malinau Regency, the Serasi Alam Shanti Foundation (SASHI) facilitated several communities in submitting applications for MHA recognition, conducting verifications through the Indigenous Affairs Management Agency (BPUMA), and securing decree issuance from the regent. The Coordination with KPH Malinau, three indigenous communities that have received MHA recognition, subsequently submitted applications for customary forest designation to the Minister of Forestry.
Dukungan pendanaan YKAN juga diberikan langsung kepada lembaga-lembaga pengelola perhutanan sosial di Berau, Kutai Timur dan Bulungan yang bisa mencegah atau menurunkan laju deforestasi. Dana kecil ini digunakan untuk mendukung lembaga pengelola perhutanan sosial melaksanakan rencana kegiatan pengelolaan hutan. Ini termasuk untuk perlindungan hutan (patroli, pos jaga, tanda peringatan) dan pemanfaatan lestari hasil hutan seperti pengembangan agroforestri (bibit pohon), hasil hutan non kayu (madu, gaharu, rotan), dan ekowisata. Ini diharapkan membantu mempersiapkan lembaga pengelola perhutanan sosial menghadapi tantangan mengelola hutan di masa depan dan menangkap peluang akses dukungan pendanaan dari pemerintah dan non-pemerintah.
Melihat berbagai kemajuan desa-desa SIGAP sejak awal hingga sekarang, diharapkan semakin banyak masyarakat yang bertempat tinggal sekitar hutan, semakin mendapatkan akses pengelolaan sumber daya hutan, sekaligus mendukung upaya perlindungan dan pelestariannya. Upaya ini tentu saja merupakan bagian dari kerja sama dan kemitraan yang kuat antar berbagai pemangku kepentingan.
Read This Next
Utilization of Rattan for Income Improvement
Social Forestry in East Kalimantan develops rattan to improve welfare, with processing machines and training for artisans in Berau, producing value-added products such as fruit baskets.
Preserving the Bird's Head Seascape through Coral Reef Monitoring
Monitoring coral reefs in the Bird's Head Seascape to support sustainable conservation using the Underwater Photo Transect method.
Kalpataru Parade Vibrates the City of Tanjung Selor
The Punan Batu Indigenous Community won the Kalpataru 2024 Award for environmental conservation and celebrated in Tanjung Selor, supported by genetic research and MHA recognition in 2023.