The Indonesian Social Forestry Management Association (AP2SI) has just held a dialogue and outreach at the Igirklanceng Village Hall, Sirampog District, Brebes Regency, Central Java on May 8 2024. The focus of this activity is to discuss concepts, procedures and approval mechanisms for social forestry management in KHDPK area and Perum Perhutani. This activity involved 3 local Forest Farmer Groups (KTH), including KTH Berkah Tani Igirklanceng, KTH Slamet Maju Bersama Dawuhan, and KTH Sawangan Maju Berkah Sigedong.
This dialogue and outreach activity is a form of the government's efforts to achieve economic equality, namely by overcoming land inequality, access to capital and markets, and resource gaps. Apart from that, this activity is expected to be able to reduce conflicts that occur in society, both in and around forest areas, one of which is by presenting priority activities in the form of Social Forestry.
Wawan Tri Setyo as a Community Forestry Instructor (PKSM) expressed his opinion on the implementation of the dialogue and outreach initiated by AP2SI. According to him, this activity is very helpful in educating the public regarding the concepts, procedures and approval mechanisms for social forestry management in Special Management Forest Areas (KHDPK), as well as those related to the Productive Perhutani Forestry Partnership (KKPP).
"Of course it is very helpful for us as PKSM, and of course in general for people who previously did not understand, now they understand, so that there is no confusion of information in the community," he explained.
As for the community, Wajri, as Chairman of the KTH Berkah Tani Igirklanceng Association, appreciated the holding of this activity. “For me as KTH it is very extraordinary. There are explanations from parties that are closely related to the combination of KHDPK area management regulations and their functions. "The appeal from the parties is very good and very broad," he said.
In line with this, Nadirin also expressed the same opinion. According to him, AP2SI's role is very important in bringing together the parties to explain various regulations for cultivation in the forest. “His role is extraordinary, especially to comply with regulations. "People who previously didn't know the rules, now know the rules about working in the forest," said the Chairman of KTH Sawangan Maju Berkah Sigedong.
Apart from that, Arif, as Head of BPSKL for the Java Region, said that dialogue and outreach was the initial process to oversee the development of social forestry in order to restore the forest ecosystem in Java. Because, in general, this location (Sirampog District) is an area that is intended for rehabilitation. That is why the enthusiasm of the community is very high in participating in this activity. "Their enthusiasm is very good, because this concerns the restoration of the ecosystem in Java and the welfare of forest area communities," he explained.
Based on the results of this dialogue and outreach, the relevant authorities continue to strive to provide assistance to the community in order to achieve legality. This is so that people who depend on forests for their livelihoods can immediately get legal certainty in carrying out their business activities.
"In accordance with the regulations, of course we are obliged to provide assistance in order to achieve legality. "The aim is that people who are active in the area no longer feel anxious, so that the goal of social forestry for sustainable forests and prosperous communities can be achieved," said Wawan.
