Protected Area and local livelihood : a study of people-forest interaction in Barisan I Nature Reserve, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia | |
| Author | Yonariza |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.NR-07-01 |
| Subject(s) | Protected areas--Indonesia--West Sumatra Bioligical diversity conservation--Indonesia--West Sumatra |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. NR-07-01 |
| Abstract | The prospective of synergizing Protected Areas (PAs) and local livelihoods depend on the dynamic nature of people-forest interaction, which are further influenced by various broader socio-economic and political variables as well as household and community characteristics. In developing countries with history of centralized PAs management, the change of political governance emphasizing decentralization might further affect the interaction between people and forests in protected area. A study on people-forest interaction in Barisan Nature Reserve of West Sumatra Province was carried out to explore historical and contemporary linkages between forests and livelihoods of the local people. The objectives of the study were to identify the major factors influencing the above linkages during the last three decades, and to analyze how the decentralization policies of the government have affected the forest conservation and livelihood. Investigation was carried out using in-depth interviews, household surveys, field observation, as well as by the use of secondary data. The study was guided by Institutional Analysis and Development Framework in combination with Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Collected data included local conception of forest, governance system, role of central, provincial, and district government, forest management activities, forest condition, forms of forest-based livelihood strategies, effect of market, technology, institution, political factors, and physical access on people-forest relationship, and effect of the revitalization of the nagari government system on forest management and local livelihood. The findings suggest that forest in protected areas has been a source of livelihood for the local people where forest farming, firewood collection, NTFP collection, hunting and trapping wildlife, as well as cutting and hauling timber is carried out. In the last three decades, these activities were affected by several factors. In 1982, the central government changed the status of the protected area to a nature reserve, thereby taking away the power of the local government and limiting access of local people to the forest resources. In 1983, the government introduced the desa administrative system replacing nagari as a traditional village government thus weakening the local institution for forest protection. Moreover, the improvement of access to the forest in some parts of reserve with the development of rural roads accelerated forest extraction. This was further intensified with the introduction and eventual use of the chainsaw in 1985, making even steep slopes more accessible to the people and therefore making trees located in these slopes more vulnerable to timber cutting. Conservation laws were coercively enforced by the central government authority which created dissatisfaction among the local people against state forestry apparatus. The collapse of the authoritarian government towards the end of the 201 h century followed by a political turmoil led to increased people-forest interaction. The political turmoil, however, was a blessing in disguise that brought about radical political changes in the country. The government adopted a decentralization policy in all sectors including forestry and environmental protection in 2001. The effect of decentralization and the revitalization of nagari on people-forest interaction vary widely among districts and among nagaris depending on: local leadership, incentives structures, and level of threat from protected areas. This implies that under the current decentralization policy, adaptiver and collaborative management among all levels of governments and the community could help improve the condition of protected areas provided that all parties find it in their interest to participate in managing protected areas. Partnership between government and local people could better protect the forest and improve local livelihood situation. |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. NR-07-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Webb, Edward L. ;Sajor, Edsel ;Gautam, Ambika P. ;Von Benda-Beckmann, Franz ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ford Foundation;Andalas University;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |