Community Involvement in Forest Resource Utilization: Case Study of Rural Communities in Japan and Indonesia

Abstract

Forest resource utilization has been extensively promoted in recent years to encourage forest resource conservation and socioeconomic development. However, the degree of involvement of local people in forest resource utilization varies between communities and between countries, depending on social and policy conditions. To address these concerns, this study compares the involvement of local people in forest utilization in two different communities; Komono, Japan and Desa Taman Jaya, Indonesia. The study explored the involvement of local people in forest resource utilization by analyzing data on benefits accrued from forests, local values, and forest management through the lens of local people. Data for this study was collected by interviewing targeted members of the communities and by sending questionnaires to randomly selected members in both communities. The study affirmed that there are differences in the levels of community involvement in forest utilization in the two communities. Limited access to forest resources and low educational levels are the cause of heavy dependence on forest resources in Desa Taman Jaya. The reverse is true in Komono, where local people are less dependent on forest resources. One take away from this study is that policy makers can increase local involvement in forest resource utilization by promoting the use of non-timber forest products and ecotourism. Another take away from this study is to consider the concerns of local people through the lens of background knowledge such as age, gender, and education levels, when designing programs to encourage local involvement in forest utilization.