Combating climate change through community participation in preserving the environment: A case from Hutan Organik (Organic Forest) in Megamendung, Bogor Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

According to Hansen and Biringer, environmental threats like climate change require that we extend conservation planning beyond the boundaries of protected areas, and into a future in which ecosystems and biomes may be quite different than they are today. One of the important ecosystems to be conserved in efforts to overcome climate change is forests. Forests can be managed to mitigate climate change because forests fulfill many important environmental functions and services. According to CIFOR, forests are important in determining the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although it has a very important role, forests have big problems as a result of deforestation, including in Indonesia. This paper tries to discuss how community participation has an important role in improving environmental conditions, especially in maintaining forest sustainability. The case discussed is "Hutan Organik" or organic forest that is an effort from the community in making forests in a critical area in Megamendung, Bogor. Hutan Organik is an artificial forest made and managed personally by Bambang Istiawan and family organically and currently has an area of approximately 27 hectares. Through this paper is expected to provide an overview of the importance of conservation efforts by the community as one of the strategies that must be optimized by the government in building environmental resilience in combating climate change.