A Trade-Off Analysis of Sustainable Landscape Planning: A Case Study of Sintang Regency (Heart of Borneo), Kalimantan

Abstract

Forest in Indonesia is among one of the richest biodiversity in the world. However, this forest is currently under threat due to several factors such as illegal logging, forest fire, and forest conversion. Considering the ecological and economic importance of this forest, the local government is committed to its protection and sustainable use under the umbrella of “Green Regency” and has been working with several organizations to develop long-term landscape planning. This research focuses on Sintang, West Kalimantan, that has a vast tropical forest with high biodiversity of flora and fauna. In 2016, the Sintang Regency has declared its commitment as a sustainable regency and committed to protecting the forest within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The research aims are to analyze land use and land cover (LULC) changes from 2006 to 2016 and forecast the land use and land cover on business as usual (BAU) and green scenario. The analysis used Land Change Modeler (LCM) module in TerrSet software to project the land cover. Based on the analysis of land cover change from 2006 to 2016, the secondary forest area experienced the largest decrease (-87, 680 ha), while the plantation area had the largest increase (87, 540 ha). The BAU scenario projected that plantations would grow to 253, 571 ha in 2030 while only 180, 300 ha under the Sintang Lestari scenario (green scenario). The results of the Sintang Lestari scenario showed that significant plantation development can still be achieved while protecting the remaining forest cover. However, limiting the expansion of plantation areas is only possible if current spatial plans are monitored and non-compliance with spatial planning is strictly enforced. The findings of the analysis can serve as a strong basis for future land development in Sintang Regency.