Economy & Natural Resources

UTILIZATION OF FORESTRY MATERIALS IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL ECONOMIC QUALITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE MALUKU PROVINCE

By : Riller Katipana

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(ECONOMIC & NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE MALUKU ISLANDS)

Forest in Maluku

1. Introduce

Maluku Islands is a province located in eastern Indonesia, composed of many small islands and has a physical condition very different territory with other regions in Indonesia which generally is a continental region (big island). Various research results show that forest ecosystems on the islands of Maluku are very sensitive to environmental changes mainly due to human activities and natural disasters. In addition, the condition of people living in and around forests is generally poor with low education levels. During this time, forestry development in Maluku is still based on forestry policies and programs adopted from large island areas (Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua) so that in reality have a negative impact on the existing ecosystem. In addition, forestry development in Maluku also ignores the principle of partnership, participatory and multi-stakeholder, so that many implementations of forest development programs fail or conflict with various parties, especially with indigenous peoples.

Critical Land in Maluku Province

Based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry and Plantations No. 415 / Kpts-2/1999 dated June 15, 1999 on the Appointment of Forest Areas in the Level I Region of Maluku Province, Maluku forest area 4,664,346 ha with details per function as follows: Nature Reserve / : 475.433ha, Protected Forest: 779,618 ha, Limited Production Forest: 865,947 ha, Production Forest: 908,702 ha and Convertible Production Forest: 1,633,646 ha. While other use area (APL) of 755,154 ha. Subsequently, the development of forest boundary boundaries up to 2008 along 7,328.57 km from the target of 8,418.27 km consists of conservation forest 1,095.29 km, protected forest 2,740.24 km, production forest 1,990.62 km, and limited production forest 1,502 , 42 km. The rest of the 1,057.64 km has not been laid out consisting of 82.00 km conservation forest, 678.94 km of protected forest, 296.70 km of production forest, and limited production forest of 0.00 km. If it is seen from the existing data then the potential of forest resources in Maluku is very large to be developed for the economy of society both inside and outside the existing forestry areas in Maluku. 

Illegal Loging in Maluku Province

Therefore, in utilizing forests which are renewable natural resources, a wise forest management system is needed, among others by establishing sustainability principles. It's just that in a few decades the potential of forest resources in Maluku experiencing constraints that is with the Critical Land which is caused by forest fires, illegal logging and so forth done by irresponsible elements who can harm the common interest, which in 2003 -2008, based on the data explained that from the area of ​​forest in Maluku Province there is a critical land area of ​​1.171.718 ha spread in forest area of ​​1,018,798 ha and outside forest area of ​​152,920 ha. With the existence of these critical land areas, without realizing it can be a threat to the destruction of ecosystems that cause natural disasters and losses for many parties, this can be felt by the climate change is not stabilized and natural disasters in the form of Floods, Landslides in the rainy season in particular for the citizens of Ambon City who experienced it during the last few years where the existing critical land is caused by the eviction of land for residential areas such as residential areas located in the mountains in the local area. While on the other side of Seram Island which becomes lungs for forest in Maluku experiencing of continuous forest fire caused by investors who do illegal logging causing disturbance of ecosystem in forest area besides damaging the environment also damage the eye source Livelihood for communities in the forest area of ​​the Seram Island Region. This has led to conflicts for indigenous peoples who feel threatened with their livelihoods such as those in the Northern Seram District where local communities are forced to sack and shut down businesses run by investors to produce timber from felling trees in order to protect ecosystems as well as economic activity of the local community. Which local society feels aggrieved by the investor, the unrest is felt in the form of the entry of investors without the permission of the local community, especially in the forest area in the form of villages.From some person should be in the defense of the rules of awareness and awareness and maintain the forest for the sake of survival of many parties. 

Community Forest Area of Maluku Province

So to achieve that goal the understanding of forests needs to be appreciated and understood by all the people who use the forest. As in the know forests have an important role for human life. The forests provide protection and shade and the products that people need for their survival. Similarly, the forest is the place of life of wild animals and other living things that are all also useful for the survival of human life in this universe. Humans acquire products such as food, medicine, timber for buildings and firewood and also enjoy the benefits of forestry, namely microclimate and the role of forests in preventing erosion and maintaining soil fertility. Therefore, the potential for forests in Maluku need to be conserved by all parties in a sustainable manner by applying rules or policies on forest land use, and how to manage forest potential as an economic value without damaging the existing ecosystem. Where the purpose of this paper is to know what kind of forestry land use, how the environment around the forest area and what impacts of forest utilization for Social Welfare Economic Society in Maluku Province.

2. Discussion

2.1. Utilization of Forest Land in Maluku

Forests are a collection of plants, especially trees or other woody plants, which occupy a large area. A more important advantage for forests from other natural resources is a renewable natural resource. The forest resources will not run dry and dry, it will always be provided as long as it is taken care of and taken care of. Modern forestry resource management based on the renewable and multipurpose potentials for the people's welfare of all time. (Mubyarto, 2004) So Based on the Theory can be explained the utilization of Forest Land in Maluku Province are as follows:

1. Producer of Wood Building

In the Maluku Province forest grows a variety of tree species that produce wood of various sizes and qualities that can be used for building materials and have high economic value such as logs that become commodities superior.

Ironwood from the forest of maluku

2. Non-Timber Forest Product Sources

The level of forest biodiversity in Maluku Province is very high and provides many benefits for people living around the forest. In addition to building timber, the forest also produces a wide range of products that can be utilized as medicines, vegetables and other household uses.

3. Carbon Reserves

One of the important functions of forests is as a carbon reserve in nature because carbon is stored in the form of vegetation biomass. Forest land use change results in increased atmospheric emissions of atmospheric kabon dioxide from burning and increased mineralization of soil organic matter during land clearing and reduced vegetation as a carbon source.

4. Habitat for Fauna

Forest utilization as an important habitat for various flora and fauna. As used in protected forests in Taman Manusela in Kecamatan Sawai Maluku.

Taman Manusela in Maluku Province

5. Other Minerals and Minerals Resources

Under the forest there are often valuable minerals that are minerals that are beneficial to the needs of life As one of them is found in Maluku Province which is a mineral resource located on the Gunung Botak of Buru Regency

6. Land

Utilization of Forest as a land that is very useful for the benefit of society and high economic value in meeting the needs of food and clothing such as forest utilization as plantation land in the form of hamlets scattered and inhabited by indigenous communities in the area of forest area of Maluku Province.

Rumah Kay Waterfall

7. Entertainment

Forest Scattering as a hunting ground and tourist attraction which is a source of regional income for example Location at Rumah Kai Waterfall in West Seram District.

2.2. Condition of Maluku Forest Area

Based on data received from the Watershed Management Agency (BPDAS), Forest Condition recorded critical and critical land area in Maluku Province since 2008-2014 with an area of 1,431. 935.48 hectares, spread across districts. With the rate of forest destruction in Maluku based on satellite imagery by the Directorate General of Planology Coverage in 2009-2011, in forest areas reach 224.2 hectares of each protected forest with an area of damage 4.8 hectares; permanent production forest of 16.8 hectares and forest conversion production of 202.6 hectares. While conservation forests and limited production forests are not damaged. Later outside the forest area, the damage rate for another user area is 684.6 hectares. In general, ecosystem damage caused by community activities are:

1. Shifting cultivation activities by local communities.

2. Legal and illegal logging activities for various needs such as fuelwood energy, building construction, furniture and others in Maluku Province.

3. Community and government land expansion activities for various purposes such as community settlements, offices, airfields, ship ports, road infrastructure, monoculture plantations and others. As a result of the ecosystem damage caused by these activities, indirectly bring negative impacts arising from this activity is the declining potential of forest resources, the destruction of forest ecosystems, the drying of water sources as reflected by the drying of rivers in the dry season and the overflow of rivers In the rainy season, the spread of critical land, then the occurrence of climate shifts with erratic rainfall and others, causing considerable damage. As the impact is most often felt is the natural disaster that occurred in the form of floods and landslides that are experienced by the community.

2.3. Enhancement of Environmental Quality for Forest Area in Maluku

According to the Maluku Provincial Forestry Office (2015), to undertake a critical land deforestation and environmental degradation of forests at least at least 80 years to be able to rehabilitate 1.2 million hectares of critical lands as a whole. If 1.2 million hectares of critical land is calculated against an annual planted area of ​​14,000 hectares, it will take at least 80 years to rehabilitate critical lands in Maluku. Where the implementation of tree planting in Maluku en masse, through simultaneous planting since 2007 until 2015 has been planted at least 18,062,657 trees. And, from 1 February to 31 October 2015, Maluku Province has planted at least 5,621,215 trees equivalent to 14,000 hectares. The amounts are cumulatively large enough, but when divided by the total population, everyone only plants three trees for one year.

At the district level, the largest number of trees is grown by Central Maluku Regency, which is 1,038,734 trees, followed by Buru Regency of 997,200 trees and 175,000 trees by local river management. Next is East Seram Regency planting 682,380 trees, West Seram regency of 477,725 trees, West Southeast Maluku Regency as many as 408,740 trees. There are also planting in Southeast Maluku Regency as many as 408,448 trees, Tual City as many as 325,500 trees, Aru Islands Regency as many as 255,900 trees, Southwest Maluku as many as 215,500 trees, and South Buru Regency only plant 200,800 trees.

As well as other than the rehabilitation activities undertaken. Bappeda Maluku programming increased harmony, harmony and balance between development activities with the carrying capacity and environmental capacity. In addition, it also program the prevention and control of pollution, environmental damage and conservation of natural resources and organizing coaching and services to the community in the protection and management of the environment. The most important is also to improve the capacity, coordination and cooperation of environmental management between sectors, agencies and regions as well as the observance of the parties to environmental legislation.

2.4. The Benefits of Forests For Economic Value In Maluku

1. Forest as a source of Regional Income

Forest products can be sold directly or processed into various goods that can bring high economic value, such as furniture and other wooden items. Thus, the economic benefits of forests will also bring in regional income or foreign exchange for the country from the sale of forest products both within and outside the country.

2. Forests as Fulfillment of Community Needs

Utility is basically almost everything in the forest can be utilized by the community around the forest, be it wood and non timber forest products. From the forest products can be processed into a variety of products and crafts that have high selling value and support the needs and economics of forest communities.

3. Coclusion and Suggestion

1.Conclusion

In this paper, it can be concluded that the use of forests in improving the quality of the environment in improving the economy of the people in Maluku Province is very effective if developed with policies focused by the government that is:

1. Recovery of forest destruction must be immediately undertaken to prevent further damage. To recover the forest damage that has occurred, the government invites all levels of society, from individuals, groups and organizations to simultaneously reforest the forest Forest reforestation order so that in the next 10 - 15 years the condition of forest in Maluku can be returned as usual. The implementation of reforestation must be more activate the local community (people around the forest) to consciously and spontaneously participate in preserving the forest.

2. The government should implement new ways of dealing with forest degradation by way of government involvement of the community, especially the improvement of conservation and utilization of natural forest in the form of science and technology development, education and training and forestry engineering in Maluku Province.

3. Prevention and early warning that prevention is meant is the extension activity / information to the local community will be important to maintain the functions and benefits of the forest in order to assist in preserving the forests and law enforcement firmly by law enforcement officers, POLRI assisted by POLHUT in implementing Investigation of local or village administrators who abuse the authority to trade timber in protected forests and capture and thoroughly investigate timber barons losing trillions of rupiah each year. The relief here is that the government must carry out an analysis of the implementation of the regulation in the community. If anything unsuitable for society is found, the government should revise the law as long as the original purpose of the law is not violated.

2. Suggestion

From the conclusions that have been described then it can be submitted some suggestions as follows:

1. Regional Government in its development policy to pay attention to areas that have the potential of forestry in Maluku Province to be more efficient in exploiting forest resources.

2. Local Government needs to improve supervision on private companies that do login activities so as not to cross the boundaries of conservation areas in Maluku.

3. Indigenous peoples in the Moluccas have to shape the government in looking at forestry issues because there are still many areas that value customary decisions more than the government's decision to conserve forests for the next generation.

Reference

Development Planning Agency at Sub-National Level, (Bappeda). Ambon Citty

Maluku Provincial Forestry Office, 2015. Report from the Head of Maluku Provincial Forestry Office, at the "Peak of the Indonesian Serious Cultivation Program". Maluku Province

Mubyarto, 2004. Introduction to Agricultural Economics. Institute for Research, Education and Economic and Social Development. Jakarta.