Reconciling Conflict of Interest in the Management of Forest Restoration Ecosystem: A Strategy to Incorporate Different Interests of Stakeholders in the Utilization of the Harapan Rainforest, Jambi, Indonesia

Abstract

The Harapan Rainforest is the only remaining lowland rainforest in Sumatera Island, Indonesia, that the Ministry of Forestry has designated for restoring lowland rainforest ecosystems. In the Harapan Rainforest, several stakeholders are interested in using the forest for several things. For example, the local community uses the forestland for their oil palm plantation, while PT Restorasi Ekosistem Indonesia (PT REKI) as forest manager, uses the forest for ecosystem restoration goals, causing a conflict of interest. This study aims to identify the stakeholders involved and provide a policy recommendation for the contestation in the Harapan Rainforest. We conducted key-person interviews to identify the stakeholders involved and analyze the interest and influence of all important stakeholders related to the utilization of the the Harapan Rainforest. The stakeholder analysis method analyzes and categorizes stakeholders’ interests and influences in the Harapan Rainforest utilization. According to the study, three of the eight stakeholders have a direct role in the Harapan Rainforest’s utilization. The last section of this paper ends by giving an alternative strategy for considering policy options and a win-win solution that prioritizes all stakeholders’ interests. This study concludes that the utilization of the Harapan Rainforest should be conducted with multiple-use forest management for production and rehabilitation.