Power Struggles and Conflict Visibility in Contested Political Forests: A Case Study in Sukaslamet Village, Indramayu Regency, Indonesia
Article Sidebar
-
Conflict Visibillity, Power, Latent and Manifest, State Forest Area, Forest Occupation
Abstract
Forest tenure conflicts have been a problem in Perhutani's management areas for decades. As an entity authorized to manage, exploit, and protect most of the forest areas in Java, Perhutani's forest management is not free from land occupation issues. The duality in viewing land rights between Perhutani from the legal side and the community from the historical side of control is a narrative that continues to be debated and is challenging to resolve. This study aims to describe the local dynamics of forest tenure conflicts through empirical evidence of the historical trajectory of forest tenure in the Perhutani management area in Indramayu. Using a qualitative research method, this study presents case studies of land tenure conflict events within the framework of conflict visibility assessment and the Actor-Centered Power (ACP) approach in its analysis. The results of the conflict visibility assessment show the gradation and historiography of forest tenure conflicts in Perhutanimanaged areas and produce several important findings to complement the forest tenure conflict literature. The research findings show how shifts in actor power led to changes in forest tenure conflicts in Indramayu. Finally, the establishment of the Forest Areas with Special Management policy as an effort to resolve conflicts can cause new contestations by inviting other powerful actors.
Full text article
References
Soedomo, S. Political Economy of Land Use in Indonesia: Trap and Curse of Natural Forests. Jurnal Manajemen Hutan Tropika (Journal of Tropical Forest Management) 2021, 27, 42–51. 10.7226/jtfm.27.te.42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7226/jtfm.27.te.42
Nurjaya, I.N. Sejarah Hukum Pengelolaan Hutan di Indonesia. Jurisprudence 2005, 2, 35–55.
Berenschot, W.; Aspinall, E.; Colchester, M.; Macinnes, A. Forest Politics in Indonesia Drivers of Deforestation and Dispossession; 2023;
Peluso, N.L.; Vandergeest, P. Genealogies of the Political Forest and Customary Rights in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. J Asian Stud 2001, 60, 761–812. 10.2307/2700109. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2700109
Peluso, N.L. Rich Forests, Poor People: Resource Control and Resistance in Java; University of California Press, 1992; ISBN 9780520073777. 10.1525/california/9780520073777.001.0001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/california/9780520073777.001.0001
Ambarwati, M.; Sasongko, G.; Therik, W. Dynamics of the Tenurial Conflict in State Forest Area (Case in BKPH Tanggung KPH Semarang). Sodality: Jurnal Sosiologi Pedesaan 2018, 6. 10.22500/sodality.v6i2.23228. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22500/sodality.v6i2.23228
Lukas, M.C. Eroding Battlefields: Land Degradation in Java Reconsidered. Geoforum 2014, 56, 87–100. 10.1016/j.geoforum.2014.06.010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2014.06.010
Maryudi, A.; Citraningtyas, E.R.; Purwanto, R.H.; Sadono, R.; Suryanto, P.; Riyanto, S.; Siswoko, B.D. The Emerging Power of Peasant Farmers in the Tenurial Conflicts Over the Uses of State Forestland in Central Java, Indonesia. For Policy Econ 2016, 67, 70–75. 10.1016/j.forpol.2015.09.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2015.09.005
Maryudi, A. Restoring State Control Over Forest Resources Through Administrative Procedures: Evidence From a Community Forestry Programme in Central Java, Indonesia. Indonesia. ASEAS-Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies 2012, 5, 229–242. 10.4232/10.ASEAS-5.2-3.
Moeliono, M.; Thuy, P.T.; Waty Bong, I.; Wong, G.Y.; Brockhaus, M. Social Forestry - why and for whom? A comparison of policies in Vietnam and Indonesia. Forest and Society 2017, 1, 1. 10.24259/fs.v1i2.2484. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v1i2.2484
Peluso, N.L. “Traditions” of Forest Control in Java: Implications for Social Forestry and Sustainability. Global Ecology & Biogeography Letters 1993, 3, 183–157. 10.2307/2997766. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2997766
Maryudi, A.; Krott, M. Poverty Alleviation Efforts through a Community Forestry Program in Java, Indonesia. J Sustain Dev 2012, 5, 43–53. 10.5539/jsd.v5n2p43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v5n2p43
Resosudarmo, I.A.P.; Tacconi, L.; Sloan, S.; Hamdani, F.A.U.; Subarudi; Alviya, I.; Muttaqin, M.Z. Indonesia’s Land Reform: Implications for Local Livelihoods and Climate Change. For Policy Econ 2019, 108, 101903. 10.1016/j.forpol.2019.04.007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2019.04.007
KPH Indramayu Public Summary KPH Indramayu 2022; Indramayu, 2022;
Perhutani Pemetaan Tipologi Tapak dan Unit Manajemen dalam Rangka Perbaikan Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Hutan Perum Perhutani; Jakarta, 2015;
Ota, M. From Joint Forest Management to More Smallholder-Based Community Forestry: Prospects and Challenges in Java, Indonesia. Journal of Forest Research 2019, 24, 371–375. 10.1080/13416979.2019.1685063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13416979.2019.1685063
Sahide, M.A.K.; Sirimorok, N.; Batiran, K.; Fisher, M.; Verheijen, B.; Sulu, M.N.; Faturachmat, F.; Supratman, S.; Maryudi, A. Actor-Center Framing on Measuring Land Use Conflict Visibility. MethodsX 2021, 8, 101450. 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101450. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2021.101450
Krott, M.; Bader, A.; Schusser, C.; Devkota, R.; Maryudi, A.; Giessen, L.; Aurenhammer, H. Actor-Centred Power: The Driving Force in Decentralised Community Based Forest Governance. For Policy Econ 2014, 49, 34–42. 10.1016/j.forpol.2013.04.012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2013.04.012
Prabowo, D.; Maryudi, A.; Senawi; Imron, M.A. Conversion of Forests into Oil Palm Plantations in West Kalimantan, Indonesia: Insights from Actors’ Power and Its Dynamics. For Policy Econ 2017, 78, 32–39. 10.1016/j.forpol.2017.01.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2017.01.004
Juniyanti, L.; Purnomo, H.; Kartodihardjo, H.; Prasetyo, L.B.; Suryadi; Pambudi, E. Powerful Actors and Their Networks in Land Use Contestation for Oil Palm and Industrial Tree Plantations in Riau. For Policy Econ 2021, 129, 102512. 10.1016/j.forpol.2021.102512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2021.102512
Wang, W.; Zhai, D.; Li, X.; Fang, H.; Yang, Y. Conflicts in Mangrove Protected Areas through The Actor-Centred Power Framework - Insights from China. For Policy Econ 2024, 158, 103122. 10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103122
Fernando, M.R. The Worst of Both Worlds: Commercial Rice Production in West Indramayu, 1885–1935. J Southeast Asian Stud 2010, 41, 421–448. 10.1017/S0022463410000251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022463410000251
Noy, C. Sampling Knowledge: The Hermeneutics of Snowball Sampling in Qualitative Research. Int J Soc Res Methodol 2008, 11, 327–344. 10.1080/13645570701401305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645570701401305
Creswell, J.W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches; 4th ed.; SAGE Publications, 2014;
Priya, A. Case Study Methodology of Qualitative Research: Key Attributes and Navigating the Conundrums in Its Application. Sociol Bull 2021, 70, 94–110. 10.1177/0038022920970318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0038022920970318
Caggiano, H.; Weber, E.U. Advances in Qualitative Methods in Environmental Research. Annu Rev Environ Resour 2023, 48, 793–811. 10.1146/annurev-environ-112321-080106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-112321-080106
Yusran, Y.; Sahide, M.A.K.; Supratman, S.; Sabar, A.; Krott, M.; Giessen, L. The Empirical Visibility of Land Use Conflicts: From Latent to Manifest Conflict through Law Enforcement in A National Park in Indonesia. Land use policy 2017, 62, 302–315. 10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.12.033. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.12.033
Peluso, N.L. The History of State Forest Management in Colonial Java. Forest and Conservation History 1991, 35, 65–75. 10.2307/3983940. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3983940
Lukas, M.C.; Peluso, N.L. Transforming The Classic Political Forest: Contentious Territories in Java. Antipode 2020, 52, 971–995. 10.1111/anti.12563. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/anti.12563
Vandergeest, P.; Peluso, N.L. Territorialization and State Power in Thailand. Theory Soc 1995, 24, 385–426. 10.1007/BF00993352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993352
Utrecht, E. Land Reform in Indonesia. Bull Indones Econ Stud 1969, 5, 71–88. 10.1080/00074916912331331482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00074916912331331482
Ide, T. Why Do Conflicts Over Scarce Renewable Resources Turn Violent? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Global Environmental Change 2015, 33, 61–70. 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.04.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.04.008
Peluso, N.L. Emergent forest and private land regimes in Java. Journal of Peasant Studies 2011, 38, 811–836. 10.1080/03066150.2011.608285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2011.608285
Andriyana, W.; Hogl, K. Decentralization Drivers beyond Legal Provisions: The Case of Collaborative Forest Management in Java Island. Forests 2019, 10, 685. 10.3390/f10080685. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f10080685
Rosyadi, S.; Birner, R.; Zeller, M. Creating Political Capital to Promote Devolution in The Forestry Sector—A Case Study of The Forest Communities in Banyumas District, Central Java, Indonesia. For Policy Econ 2005, 7, 213–226. 10.1016/S1389-9341(03)00027-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1389-9341(03)00027-3
Nurhayati, A.D.; Arhami, L. Gangguan Hutan di KPH Kuningan Divisi Regional Jawa Barat dan Banten. Journal of Tropical Silviculture 2019, 10, 159–165. 10.29244/j-siltrop.10.3.159-165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29244/j-siltrop.10.3.159-165
Ragandhi, A.; Hadna, A.H.; Setiadi, S.; Maryudi, A. Why do greater forest tenure rights not enthuse local communities? An early observation on the new community forestry scheme in state forests in Indonesia. Forest and Society 2021, 159–166. 10.24259/fs.v5i1.11723. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v5i1.11723
Sack, R.D. Human Territoriality: A Theory. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 1983, 73, 55–74. 10.1111/j.1467-8306.1983.tb01396.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8306.1983.tb01396.x
Charmakar, S.; Kimengsi, J.N.; Giessen, L. Power in Forest Management Institutions: A Systematic Review. Trees, Forests and People 2024, 15, 100465. 10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100465. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100465
Faculty of Forestry IPB Evaluasi Instrumen Penilaian Kesehatan Pengelolaan Hutan, Perbaikan Sistem Produksi dan Pemasaran, Serta Penyusunan Agenda Penyelesaian Konflik Hutan/Lahan Perum Perhutani; Bogor, 2014;
Perhutani Statistik Perum Perhutani Tahun 2009-2013; Perum Perhutani: Jakarta, 2014;
Arifandy, M.I.; Sihaloho, M. Effectiveness of Community Based Forest Managements Forest Resources Conflict Resolution. Sodality: Jurnal Sosiologi Pedesaan 2016, 3. 10.22500/sodality.v3i2.11339. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22500/sodality.v3i2.11339
Wachyuni, M.; Prasetyo, L.B.; Soekmadi, R. Contributions of PHBM towards Forest Area Changes in Forest Management Unit of Ngawi, East Java. Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management 2017, 7, 1–10. 10.29244/jpsl.7.1.1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.7.1.1-10
Rutten, R.; Bakker, L.; Alano, M.L.; Salerno, T.; Savitri, L.A.; Shohibuddin, M. Smallholder Bargaining Power in Large-Scale Land Deals: A Relational Perspective. J Peasant Stud 2017, 44, 891–917. 10.1080/03066150.2016.1277991. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2016.1277991
Kusuma, A.F.; Sahide, M.A.K.; Purwanto, R.H.; Ismariana, E.; Santoso, W.B.; Wulandari, E.; Maryudi, A. Emergent Institutional Issues from New Tenure Reforms and Social-Forestry Initiatives in Indonesia: Notes from The Field. Forest and Society 2023, 7, 450–466. 10.24259/fs.v7i2.28319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.28319
Fisher, M.R.; Moeliono, M.; Mulyana, A.; Yuliani, E.L.; Adriadi, A.; Kamaluddin; Judda, J.; Sahide, M.A.K. Assessing the new social forestry project in Indonesia: recognition, livelihood and conservation? International Forestry Review 2018, 20, 346–361. 10.1505/146554818824063014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1505/146554818824063014
Lund, C. Struggles for Land and Political Power. The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law 1998, 30, 1–22. 10.1080/07329113.1998.10756496. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.1998.10756496
Ansoms, A.; Wagemakers, I.; Madison Walker, M.; Murison, J. Land Contestation at The Micro Scale: Struggles for Space in the African Marshes. World Dev 2014, 54, 243–252. 10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.08.010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.08.010
Authors
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Article Details
How to Cite
