Peatland Community Attitudes towards Conservation and Restoration Programs in Pelalawan, Riau, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the priority areas for restoration and conservation of peatland after the 2015 fires in Riau is Pelalawan District. The community attitude around peatland will affect the success of conservation and restoration activities carried out by the government together with the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG). This research aims to determine the community attitude around peatland toward conservation and restoration programs using a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The total number of respondents is 45 communities spread over two subdistricts in Pelalawan, Riau. The location determination was carried out by purposive sampling where two sub-districts were selected, the Bunut sub-district representing the mainland peatland area and the Pelalawan sub-district representing the coastal peatland area. The main results of this research indicate that conservation and restoration of peatland such as the establishment of Fire Concerned Community (MPA), the existence of re-vegetation, canal blocking as form of re-wetting, and re-vitalization of livelihoods in Pelalawan, Riau obtain a positive response from the community along with it, community participation programs organized by the government. This research shows to the public that local peatland communities have awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting peatland area ecosystem.