Challenges of mangrove management in supporting climate change mitigation policy in East Kalimantan

Abstract

East Kalimantan Government has set up mangrove programs such as rehabilitation, silvofishery, social forestry and land reform to support its commitment in reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation. This paper investigates potential challenges in implementation of the programs by exploring local community's understanding on the role of mangroves in climate change and their acceptance to the mangrove programs. The results are discussed in the context of theories related to community-based natural resources management and property rights. Survey using questionnaires is followed by in-depth interview and it shows that most respondents understand the importance of mangroves in climate change mitigation but are not well informed about the programs. They are also objected to the land reform and social forestry programs because the programs do not provide comparable compensation. This finding is congruent with the theories of property rights and co-management of natural resources. To increase community's acceptance, legalization of occupied mangrove land, therefore, needs to be followed by other interventions such as awareness raising programs, financial support and market control as extra benefits for the local communities. The central and local governments also need to intensively communicate with the local communities to arrange technical, administrative and political mechanisms in collaborative mangrove management.