Feasibility Study of the Development of Grand Forest Park in Gunung Wayang, Bandung Regency, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Gunung Wayang area is located inthe upstream part of the Citarum river basin. Forest preservation in the upper Citarum watershed is very important to maintain its sustainability. However, along with the increasing population and increasing demand for land, Gunung Wayang forest area faces increasing threats and disturbances from various deforestation activities, such as encroachment, illegal logging, and forest land conversion, which then worsening the condition of the Citarum watershed. One of the initiatives of the Government of Bandung Regency is the development of Grand Forest Park at Gunung Wayang. Therefore, this research aimed to identify, study, and analyze the feasibility of developing Grand Forest Park in this location. The method used was mixed-methods with a parallel convergent mixed approach. The results of the study indicate that there were several types of plants and animals with important conservation status. Grand Forest Park will increase many new economic opportunities and decrease deforestation activities. However, because nearly 70% of the people living around the area are farmers cultivating land in forest areas, therefore a comprehensive approach is needed to avoid conflicts related to land ownership.