Forest Encroachers Become Partners In Indonesia

Since the establishment of Indonesia’s Sungai Wain Protection Forest in 1934, a petroleum refinery has been pumping water out of the area for its production. Fires in 1997­ and 1998 scorched the landscape, proving that the forest needed a new management system.

Since those fires, the City of Balikpapan has taken on the land’s stewardship. Rather than fighting illegal harvesting, Balikpapan entrusted 14% of the forest’s 9,782 hectares to 10 local Farmer Working Groups for their stewardship and management.

We used to approach them to stop illegally logging the forest. They were easily provoked when outsiders approached them about these and other sensitive issues. After the trainings, not only have they stopped logging, they’re even persuading others to stop logging.

Rochim Auliandra

“The specific issue of my interest is building capacity and economic development for forest-dependant people,” said Rochim Auliandra, the Head of Balikpapan’s Social Economy Community Forest Program Division. “That way, they could help conserve the forest and still use it as their main source of income for their families.”

With support from ELTI and its partners, Rochim and his staff have organized two trainings for representatives of the Farmer Working Groups. There, the participants learned the importance of protecting biodiversity and how to earn a livelihood cultivating cloned rubber and fruit trees.

Balikpapan’s agroforestry program is working well. A government-­run nursery provides planting materials. Community members have increased production of their fruits, and are working to supply rubber­- and fruit-­tree seeds in Kalimantan.