AP2SI West Java Press Conference
Good afternoon.
Greetings of sustainability.
Bandung, May 22, 2026. The West Java Indonesian Social Forestry Management Association is here
such a serious concern to direction and quality of implementation
Special Management Forest Area (KHDPK) policy, especially for
social forestry on the island of Java, which is currently tend getting further away from
The initial spirit of the goal was to reform forestry governance on the island of Java.
which supports the community and is expected to be a way to expand
community rights to forest areas, accelerating Social Forestry
as a management instrument for social, economic, and ecological, resolving conflicts
tenure, and maintaining the social and ecological sustainability of forests on the island of Java.
The initial determination of the KHPDK, through the issuance of the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry
Forestry Decree Number SK.287 of 2022 concerning Determination of Forest Areas with Management
Specifically for some state forests located in production forest areas and
Protected Forests in Central Java Province, East Java Province, West Java Province, and
Banten Province, which has designated KHDPK covering 1,103,941 hectares as a hope and
important position because before this policy, the production and protected forest areas
an area of 2.5 million hectares or 76 % previously under the management of the public housing complex
forestry.
In the initial phase of the policy, the public understood that the majority in the KHDPK were for
Social Forestry. Even the policy narrative at the time mentioned a figure of 922,769 hectares.
for community access through Social Forestry. Community expectations are growing,
Forest farmer groups have begun to apply for legality and management rights in the area.
KHDPK.But the situation changed.
On April 8, 2025, the government issued Decree of the Minister of Forestry Number
149 of 2025 which revokes the previous ministerial decree. There is a contradiction in
the new decision, the government also did not explain openly how large the area is
KHDPK prioritized for Social Forestry. This condition gives rise to
unclear direction and implementation of policies and loss of certainty of access
community towards forest areas.
However, subsequently, through the issuance of the Minister of Forestry Regulation Number 8 of 2026
regarding the National Forestry Plan or RKTN 2011–2030, the government
set the KHDPK directive for Social Forestry to only 583,629 hectares. This means that, when compared with the initial projection of 922,769 hectares, there is a fact that
reduction in the allocation area for Social Forestry by 339,140 hectares (36.8%). so that,
This again narrows the space for community rights to manage forest areas and
Until today, there has been no explanation from the government regarding these existing facts.
open to the public regarding the reasons for the reduction and there was no public consultation
adequate. Forest farmer groups and Social Forestry organizations also do not
meaningfully involved in this process.
In the field, the problems are becoming more apparent.
The process of facilitation, verification, validation, and transformation of Social Forestry in the region
The KHDPK has stagnated. The government always argues that this is due to the document.
is in process, the KHDPK Management Plan has not been determined and ratified by
minister as stated in Article 475 of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 7 of 2021.
Apart from that, on the other hand, in the process of preparing and discussing the Regional Development Plan
The management of the KHDPK is closed and non-transparent. Supporting organizations
Social Forestry and forest farmer groups are not involved and do not receive adequate access to information, even though this policy directly concerns community rights.,
socio-ecological sustainability, and the future of forest governance on Java Island. As a result,
Social Forestry implementation technical services are not running optimally and there are
contradictory regarding the implementation of Presidential Regulation Number 28 of 2023 concerning
Integrated Planning for Accelerated Social Forestry Management Implemented in 2019
2023 – 2030 regarding the acceleration of the distribution of legal access.
So AP2SI West Java assesses that from all the existing conditions, this will
increasing tenure uncertainty, weakening the position of the community in
management of forest areas, and has the potential to give rise to social and political conflicts
field management
Therefore, through this press conference, AP2SI conveyed several attitudes and
demands:
First, KHDPK must remain a priority to improve dignity, honor, and
the welfare of society as per the initial spirit of its objectives.
Second, The government must transparently open the Management Plan document
KHDPK to the public.
Third, Forest farmer groups and Social Forestry organizations must be involved in
the policy formulation process, concretely accommodating the requests of subjects and
objects that have been submitted to the Ministry of Forestry.
Fourth, Technical services for facilitation, verification and validation of applications
Social Forestry must be implemented immediately without delay.
Fifth, The government must explain openly the basis for the changes and
reduction in Social Forestry allocations in KHDPK areas.
Sixth, KHDPK management must guarantee the social-ecological protection of the community
while maintaining the sustainability of forest functions on the island of Java, and
Seventh,The state must start changing the paradigm of Social Forestry from merely
granting access to a system of recognition, protection and management of areas
community rights-based forests.
We believe that the forests on Java Island cannot be saved by just
administrative and bureaucratic approaches. Forests will be sustainable if the community
surrounding areas receive recognition, protection, certainty of rights, and management space.
fair. Thank you.
Greetings of sustainability.
Long live the people!
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