Conflict among stakeholders in karst area management of Pati Regency

Abstract

Environmental emntal problem leading to conflict among stakeholders occurred in Pati Regency, Central Java Province, when local community of Samin people and mining company were involved in dispute concerning the situation in the North Kendeng karst mountain area. The mountain has been known for limestone richness as a result of natural processes through geological space and time. This research applied a descriptive-qualitative method, focused on the aspect of conflict between local people and PT. Semen Gresik, Tbk., and between the local people and Pati Regency Government. Research data were collected by observation, in-depth interviews, and analyses of secondary sources. The qualitative data were analysed by a descriptive-qualitative approach, more familiarly known as qualitative-descriptive analysis. There is conflict of interest between those agree and disagree with the karst exploitation for cement factory, which has been them known nationally. Opposition strategy by the local people around the karst area in Pati Regency by opposing the cement industry cooptation was similar to the strategy applied in other conflicts. The "shifting strategy" of the cement conflict in Pati is difficult to vanish because it has been strongly rooted in Saminism. Therefore, better mediation must be well practiced.