FOREST CONSERVATION AND JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY IN UPSTREAM JENEBERANG WATERSHED OF MANIMBAHOI VILLAGE, SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Abstract

Preserving the forest ecosystem in Jeneberang watershed is important for sustainability of the Jeneberang River and to ensure water supply for downstream activities. In order to ensure sustainability, forest conservation in the upstream area is significant and this involves participation of local community. However, their participation is not formal; rather it is voluntary effort to protect the area from further damage. Therefore, this paper examined the benefits received by local communities living in Manimbahoi village through forest conservation efforts. It has two objectives, mainly to describe the benefits for local communities’ participation in preserving their forest and to analyse the purpose of local communities’ voluntarily engagement in forest conservation. Field research was carried out from May to June 2021. Datab collection was carried out by in-depth interviews with several key informants, observation, and through literature review. The results of the study show that local communities are encouraged to maintain forest areas for water conservation for rice fields and plantations. In addition, part of the conserved area has become a local community garden. Hence, forest conservation ensures sustainable livelihood of the local community.