Focusing on Forest Administration Systems in Analyzing Joint Forest Management: A Case Study of PHBM in Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The present study analyzes PHBM (Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Hutan Bersama Masyarakat), a joint forest management mechanism implemented by the State Forest Corporation (SFC) and village-level committees (LMDHs) in Java, Indonesia, in terms of forest administration systems. SFC had maintained conventional organizational structures and staffing systems, and frontline foresters mostly focused on their conventional tasks, including patrolling and policing, and were not structurally functioning as the interface of or facilitators for PHBM. SFC appears to have separated existing forestry operations and PHBM matters. As a result, PHBM matters such as the use of benefit sharing inside villages were simply entrusted to executive members of LMDHs with room for elite capture. A whole-organizational approach, in which general frontline foresters’ tasks are more integrated into participatory approach, would be recommended.