Strengthening forest management in Indonesia through land tenure reform: issues and framework for action

In Indonesia, as in many developing countries, the government is struggling to improve the management of their dwindling forest resources. Despite government efforts, Indonesia still has large tracts of primary and secondary forest ecosystems that are under intense threat from both industry and local people. These areas make up approximately 40% of the Forest Zone under the responsibility of the Department of Forestry (Department of Forestry 2003). Deforestation is widespread, largely caused by illegal logging and the unauthorized use of fire.Conflict and disagreement over who should control and manage the country’s forests and forest lands underlie many of the tensions and the structure of incentives that lead stakeholders to operate in ways that are detrimental to sound forest management. The origins of this disagreement lie in large part in simplistic interpretations of the definition and location of both Indonesia’s forests and the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry. Different interpretations lead to radically different levels of control over forest resources by different institutions and actors.1 Conflicts over control of land and natural resources due to uncertainty of ownership (state or community) will remain unless a serious effort is organized to rationalize the state Forest Zone through a clear action strategy.

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