Under the green and cool foot of Mount Penanggungan, Claket Village in Pacet District, Mojokerto, is carving out a new history in forest management. A bright morning in the third week of January 2025 witnessed how this small village managed to gather various forestry stakeholders to sit together, discussing a more sustainable future for the forest.
Workshop atmosphere at Claket Village Building
A different atmosphere was felt since 08.00 WIB, when one by one the invited guests began to arrive at the village hall. The Sumber Agung Forest Farmer Group (KTH), as the host, seemed busy welcoming 50 participants who came from various agencies. From officers from the Nganjuk Regional Forestry Service Branch to representatives from the Alas Penanggungan KTH, all gathered with one goal: to build sustainable forest management that is also beneficial to the community.
“This is not just an ordinary workshop. This is our concrete step to ensure that forest management is carried out according to the rules, while still paying attention to the welfare of forest farmers around here..” – Achmad Rozani, Secretary General of AP2SI
Ach Rozani, Secretary General of AP2SI, gave a speech at the workshop
The workshop, which was held together with AP2SI and Nusantara Fund, with the support of WALHI East Java, did have a crucial agenda. The main focus was the arrangement of boundary areas and the preparation of the Social Forestry Management Plan and Annual Work Plan (RKPS-RKT), in accordance with Permen LHK Number 4 of 2023 and Kepmen LHK Number 1091 of 2024.
However, behind the formality of the regulation, there is a deeper story of struggle. KTH Sumber Agung, like other forest farmer groups, faces various challenges in managing forest areas. It is not only about the management structure, but also how to build solid and sustainable organizational management.
“Our biggest challenges actually lie in three things. First, the institutional system must be professional. Second, area management that requires precision in marking boundaries. And third, business development that must be profitable while still preserving the forest." – Timbul, Head of KTH Sumberagung
The speakers and invitees from various stakeholders also spoke about forest governance.
WALHI East Java, which is present as a network and program companion, emphasizes the importance of consistency and commitment in forest management. Especially in answering how social forestry can be an alternative management to realize sustainable forests that are able to meet the needs of local residents, as well as in the long term welfare itself.
“This is a momentum to prove that local communities are able to manage forests better. Social forestry is not just a program, but also a solution to mitigate climate change and improve community welfare..” – Wahyu Eka, Director of WALHI East Java
That afternoon, when the workshop ended, participants went home with a new understanding. That forest management is not just an administrative matter, but about the balance between nature conservation and human welfare. At the foot of Mount Penanggungan, Claket Village has begun a new step towards a brighter future of social forestry.
News Source : https://walhijatim.org/2025/01/28/geliat-perhutanan-sosial-di-kaki-gunung-penanggungan-kth-sumberagung-menggelar-lokakarya/
