Workshop Proceedings

Workshop Proceedings Community engagement for local livelihoods and peatlands conservation BAPPEDA Kapubaten Kapuas Jl. Tambun Bungai No: 53a Kuala Kapuas, Kalimantan Tengah 73514, Indonesia Tuesday 30 October, 2012

WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

Community engagement for local livelihoods and peatlands conservation

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATIONS Proceedings of a stakeholder workshop held on Tuesday 30 October, 2012 at BAPPEDA, Kapubaten Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Introduction Dr Paul McShane Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, Australia Monash University has initiated a capacity building program with several Indonesian Universities including the University of Palangka Raya (UNPAR), a regional University important in engaging with communities striving to develop sustainable livelihoods in Central Kalimantan. Indonesia has presented challenging and potentially conflicting policy objectives including growing its economy by 7 per cent per annum and reducing greenhouse gases by at least 26 per cent over 2000 levels by 2020. The two main drivers of its economy are palm oil and coal mining both of which contribute to disturbing rates of deforestation in Indonesia and to damage to sensitive peatland ecosystems. Fires caused by land/forest clearing present hazards to health and restrict gainful activities including employment and education. A co-ordinated approach which implements top down policies at community level must take into account socio-cultural issues which influence behaviour of local people. The Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) aims to demonstrate ways to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to restore degraded peatlands (REDD+).

However, several unresolved issues remain including: land tenure (security of access by local people to traditional forests); effective community engagement (recognition of forest dependent Dayak culture); and raising awareness of sustainable alternative livelihoods (consistent with forest conservation objectives).

Monash University links research and policy in developing and applying two main approaches: the development of user friendly models which integrate bio-physical and socio-economic models; and knowledge management which promotes a shared understanding of sustainable policy options. Future challenges include the identification of alternative livelihoods for local communities; the resolution of spatial conflict between mining and forestry; the better use of traditional wisdom to raise awareness of sustainable economic development opportunities; and incentives for behaviour change consistent with peatland conservation.

Institutional strengthening, Australian Development Awards Fellowships and Community Engagement in the Context of REDD+ Dr Tina Kalivas and Dr Max Richter Monash Sustainability Institute and Monash Asia Institute, Monash University, Australia Monash University’s program of activity in Indonesia addresses several themes including: community engagement, institutional strengthening, peaceful inter-group relations, sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Monash’s approach in integrating multiple disciplines through systemic models and knowledge management links research to policy.

Recent activity under AusAID’s Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship (ALAF) included research skills development for a cohort of Indonesian scholars many of whom are employed at the University of Palangka Raya (UNPAR) in Central Kalimantan.

Fellows from UNPAR are engaged, at least peripherally, in activities responsive to the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) which aims to reduce rates of deforestation and degradation of important peatlands (REDD+). Activities relevant to the KFCP included: improving participation in peatland conservation programs; small holder development of livelihoods for improved incomes; integrated approaches to sustainable natural resource management for local livelihoods; and gender issues in village

Workshop Proceedings

Page 4

economies. These activities will be developed to support evidence based research responsive to the KFCP and to sustainable economic development in Central Kalimantan.

Systemic modelling for policy evaluation applicable to REDD+ Dr Terry Chan Water Studies Centre and Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, Australia Models are useful in representing states of reality that can improve understanding of responses of natural systems to changes e.g. climate and/or policy interventions. In this way, complex natural systems can be expressed in ways accessible to policy makers who often do not understand technical issues but who need to make decisions which affect communities/livelihoods. Monash’s approach which integrates bio-physical and socio-economic models is to engage stakeholders to develop understanding of system dynamics and of appropriate poverty interventions (for example sustainable economic development strategies). We use Bayesian Networks which present relationships among variables. Bayesian Networks are useful in that they do not assume perfect knowledge of each element of a system but the networks can be developed as information becomes available. Thus information sources can include formal knowledge e.g. science or traditional wisdom (local knowledge). We developed models involving scholars participating in a recent ALAF program including academic staff members from the University of Palangka Raya (UNPAR) an important regional University in Central Kalimantan. These models included systemic representation of peatlands, forests and local livelihoods, and water resources (the Kahayan watershed). The activities involving input from the scholars allowed visual representation of important variables, gap identification and understanding of potential policy interventions (e.g. fire management). These issues will be further developed in evidencebased research activity planned for Central Kalimantan responsive to reduced deforestation and reduced forest degradation (REDD+).

Knowledge management for sustainable economic development: Traditional wisdom and information sharing pursuant to a collaborative response to REDD and forest conservation Dr Jeremy Aarons Knowledge Management Research Program, Faculty of Information Technology and Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, Australia Knowledge management is the systematic collection and sharing of information. It consolidates diverse information streams, promotes a shared understanding of the problem and identifies integrated solutions (e.g. sustainable economic development opportunities).

Monash University has developed a task-based approach to knowledge management which recognises that knowledge and understanding develops in a social setting.

The task-based approach was explored in workshops with Indonesian scholars as part of the recent Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship (ALAF) program, including staff from the University of Palangka Raya (UNPAR) in Central Kalimantan. This approach is particularly relevant in Central Kalimantan where trials aimed at reducing deforestation and restoring peatland ecosystems are underway in areas inhabited and utilised by local communities. In this context the challenge is to identify viable strategies which promote sustainable livelihoods consistent with poverty reduction strategies and forest conservation policies. The task-based approach identified three key tasks involved in meeting this challenge: (i) (ii) (iii)

co-ordinating & sharing knowledge to develop a shared understanding of social, economic, and environmental issues among stakeholders; synthesising different forms of knowledge (including local and traditional knowledge/wisdom) to develop viable practical solutions; and transforming the practical solutions into effective policy platforms.

Workshop Proceedings

Page 5

This approach emphasises the link between research and policy, which is critical in integrating social, economic and environmental issues which are important in considering policy options. In doing so it emphasises the importance of knowledge brokering between researchers and local communities (for tasks (i) and (ii), to develop viable solutions) and between researchers and policy makers (for task (iii), to put those solutions into practice).

Sustainable Forest Management and Changing Climate Conditions Dr Fabrizio D’Aprile, Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, Australia Forests are highly differentiated complex systems important in both climatic and natural resource systems.

They are important in Indonesia both as a source of economic well-being and as a concern for unsustainable development (deforestation and forest degradation). Forest degradation affects beneficial ecosystem services including water quality, soil quality, biodiversity, and timber production. Forests also influence climate through evapo-transpiration and land/forest clearing can affect local climate. Changes to monsoonal climate patterns are expected to be expressed in changes to wet and dry seasons and will probably increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters including floods and forest fires. Research on whether changes in temperature above and/or below natural thresholds and how they combine with precipitation may also affect forest tree growth and/or health and therefore assumes now greater relevance. Sustainable forest management requires an understanding of the bio-physical factors that influence growth and survival of tree species and their interactions, but also the socio-economic factors on which to develop sustainable forest product utilisation instead of exploitation. Under changing climate conditions, timing in forest management (e.g. harvest) necessarily takes into account factors which influence the sustainability of forest productivity versus economic returns.

Thus, species which offer high productivity and high economic return in the short-term (e.g. oil palm) are favoured over those species which may be less economic but which provide other eco-system products and services (e.g. soil and biodiversity conservation, flood regulation, high value-added timber products) that need to be carefully estimated, and probably contribute to climate control. There is a need to understand appropriate forest management strategies consistent with sustainable economic development.

Village consultation process for village agreement in KFCP Murianson KFCP Working Group, Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia The Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) involves a seven village trial examining peatland restoration linked to reduced deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+). Village agreements are a first step towards establishing long lasting institutions in REDD+ and can be used to manage and fund a range of community-based activities from livelihoods to village forests (hutan desa). The agreements are based on equitable sharing of opportunities and benefits among villages recognising traditional rights and customs in a way which promotes environmental sustainability. Village agreements, and the consultation process which raises awareness of sustainable development opportunities, are prerequisites to ongoing success with REDD+ trials in Central Kalimantan. The next steps include implementation and participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Workshop Proceedings

Page 6

Peatlands Rehabilitation Al Zaqie KFCP Working Group, Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Trials to restore degraded peatland are currently underway under the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP). The trials involving seven villages are located in the ex mega rice area in the district of Kapuas in Central Kalimantan. Deforestation in one area (Block A) is causing dehydration and degradation of peatlands. Deforested peat suffers reduced rainwater infiltration. Replanting of peatlands with native species and blocking of canals (constructed as part of the mega rice project) are strategies for restoration of degraded peatlands. Incentives for village participation in peatland restoration include payments for rearing and planting of seedlings in degraded peatlands. Replanting programs are expanding and monitoring and evaluation will continue to assess the success of restoration programs.

Planning for Alternative Livelihoods in Correlation with reducing peatland fires in Kalteng Dr Aswin Usup Research Centre for PeatLand fire control and forest rehabilitation University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Fire is used to clear and prepare land for subsistence agriculture in Central Kalimantan. Most livelihoods in Central Kalimantan (80 per cent) rely on farming. Fires during the dry season (July to December) create carbon emissions, prevent economic activity, affect health, and most, if not all, are started by humans.

Fire control is beyond the resources available to local communities. Instead, alternative agricultural practices (which do not include fire) are presented as a means of reducing forest fires in Central Kalimantan.

Irrigation, intensive agriculture/horticulture, mechanisation all offer increased productivity without fire.

Identification of species amenable to intensive cultivation within sustainable development guidelines is consistent with REDD+ and other efforts to reduce rates of deforestation and forest degradation.

The utilisation of degraded forest lands (other than peatlands) offers scope for sustainable livelihoods consistent with conservation of important forest and peatland ecosystems.

Swamp network planning for developing a potential agricultural area in Teluk Betung Vironika Bahat University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Rice productivity in Central Kalimantan (2.5 tonnes/ha) is below average for Indonesia (4-5 tonnes/ha).

Development plan priorities for Central Kalimantan include reducing rates of poverty through developing viable and sustainable local livelihoods. Utilisation of swamp land for rice cultivation is consistent with development priorities. Expansion of production of rice through use of irrigation and intensive cultivation techniques could further support local communities traditionally dependent on agriculture. Crop cultivation should be consistent with sustainable water and peatland management.

Workshop Proceedings

Page 7

Student attitudes to Forest, Bush, and Peatland fires and educational perspectives towards environmental issues Akhmad Fauzan University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Forests (10 million ha) and peatlands (4.5 million ha) dominate Central Kalimantan. Fire has a severe environmental, economic and social impact. Surveys of high school students revealed awareness of peatlands and general ecology. Most students were concerned about ecological impacts of forest fires but most were unable to identify remedial actions. Education is a powerful driver of awareness and of human behaviour in response to forest/peatland conservation. Information communication technology and the development of environmental themed English language materials can assist in efforts to conserve peatlands and to reduce human induced forest fires.

Forest management paradigm and community-based communication approaches towards the implementation of REDD+ program in Central Kalimantan (a literature review).

Tampung Saman University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia There has been a significant decline in rice production in Central Kalimantan following intensive logging.

Wildlife populations are declining as are rubber plantations. Traditional socio-economic structures and local livelihoods are not well understood. There is a need to improve long-term livelihoods securing the well being of indigenous communities.

Customary land rights have not received formal recognition. Environmental policies are top down.

Conservation is rarely viewed as a significant local priority and conservation programs tend to be dependent on donor support.

Socialisation of local government regulations responsive to sustainable livelihoods is important if REDD+ is to succeed as a policy in Central Kalimantan. Aligning economic and environmental needs remains challenging.

Assessment on livelihood development programs in KFCP Area Dr Semiarto Aji Purwanto, Sundjaya, and Afentina University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia Socio-economic activities of communities have changed considerably in Central Kalimantan. The expansion of palm oil plantations has coincided with accelerated deforestation and forest degradation. There is a need to evaluate livelihoods that are consistent with sustainable forest and peatland management. Further to this, monitoring and evaluation programs should be established that give reliable information on the success (economic and environmental) of alternative livelihood programs. Targeted engagement with local communities and stakeholders can provide information on sustainable development opportunities.

The social impact of palm oil plantations on local communities in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan.

Merrisa Octora Social and Political Science Faculty, University of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan Indonesia Sampit East Kotawaringin in Central Kalimantan offers abundant natural resources amenable to sustainable development. Rapid expansion of palm oil plantations follows increasing world demand for palm oil including recent demand for bio-diesel (sourced from palm oil). Yet palm oil plantations can impact on the environment and on local communities. Positive impacts include regional development opportunity given the economic benefits of palm oil. Negative impacts include pollution, degradation of land (including

Workshop Proceedings

Page 8

peatland), and community conflict (over property rights and traditional land use). Land ownership and use is particularly problematic and presents unresolved conflict at local community level. Traditional wisdom offers valuable insights into potential alternative livelihoods consistent with community expectations and with sustainable development opportunities. Governments (including district governments) have an important role to play in socialising sustainable development and in enacting supporting regulations and laws.

Discussion: • How to increase local participation in peatland conservation programs Local communities in Central Kalimantan (Kapuas district) have little understanding of REDD+. If REDD+ is about reducing emissions with the co-benefit of reducing poverty, why is poverty always mentioned at the local level, but emissions reduction very rarely mentioned? Is awareness raising needed? If so, how? There is a framing issue around how REDD+ is presented (varies according to audience, but should the emissions connection always be made clear?).

•

Small palm oil and rubber plantations to improve local incomes in central Kalimantan -

Note that palm oil and rubber are not only alternative incomes, but they could both have a role in preventing fire and preventing peat degradation.

Voluntary participation in peatland conservation is dependent on securing land tenure for local people.

There is a need to improve local livelihoods and general well being through sustainable economic development. Knowledge management can assist in developing understanding of sustainable development opportunities.

If the community who claim the land as their own do not agree with an introduced program, participation and the likelihood of success is very low.

•

Integrated approaches to developing community livelihoods supporting sustainable natural resources -

The scope of this project is very large. There may be methodological issues in studying both past and current development programs. A more useful starting point would be to select one past program and examine it in detail. Engaging the community in alternative livelihoods e.g. rubber also helps with fire prevention, as local/forest people will realise that there is something valuable (for the community) in the land.

• Gender issues in natural resource management and village-level economies It was pointed out that there would be methodological issues in comparing both the gender issues and the legal/illegal income-generation methods at the same time. Improving gender equity and the general empowerment and support of women is a priority. Women play a vital role in child rearing and therefore education of children. This is an important driver of poverty reduction.

Perspectives from the KFCP working group Block A in the ex mega rice area of Central Kalimantan is substantially degraded forest lands. Trials for forest and peatland restoration involving local villages are underway with replanting of local species. Local governments are working with local communities to reduce poverty through the identification and implementation of sustainable livelihoods. Engagement of the local communities is important so that forest management policies can be aligned to community needs. Rice farming opportunities exist but local communities lack technology and training sufficient for sustainable intensive agriculture. In comparison, Block E is relatively less degraded and livelihoods are dominated by a strong fishing culture. Testing the impact of alternative livelihoods should be able to demonstrate a reduction in the degradation of the forest – see the successful example of East Kalimantan. In terms of the sociology of the communities’ economies:

Workshop Proceedings

Page 9

in Block A they are woodcutters, in relatively more damaged forest than that in Block E. Block E’s livelihoods are primarily in fisheries and trade.

Degradation of forests is due to human activity itself, because of demands to meet their daily needs. Note: given the incentives for palm oil are so much higher than the alternatives, are the alternatives feasible? If a carbon trading scheme is appropriately implemented, then the additional incentives in combination with local alternative livelihoods should outweigh that of palm oil alone. However, there are still issues around the additional complexity, the lack of certainty and longer term profits of this combination – in comparison the profits from palm oil are clearer and more immediate.

However, the economic and sustainability/security benefits of the longer term option must be made clear to local communities.

Sustained change requires sustained support, funding and technology, or the change will not be successful.

Change is also still dominated by top down centralised approaches.

KPHL (Forest protection management unit), a new district government, is very much based on collaborative and bottom up approaches. Forest management is licensed out. Development must be holistic and integrated.

It would be useful to present an optimal forest composition model linked to local livelihood opportunities and to forest conservation initiatives.

The biggest problem is how to choose sustainable alternative livelihoods that community-level people will believe in, and which will provide ongoing support to them.

KFCP Working Group members led a discussion about “next steps” (an “action plan”) and the need to link KFCP and KFCP outputs, research and their (currently under construction) knowledge repository, with this forum/workshop and to actual district policy making. There is some advocacy going on from KFCP in the form of websites. Current research activities are too academic and there is a need to translate to easily understood actions.

Session 4: OPEN DISCUSSION Following an MSI summary of the preceding presentations, KFCP Working Group (WG) called attention to the following sequence of points for further discussion: 1. Why is it that the regional government focuses on Community Engagement and Community Empowerment, over and above focusing on Reducing GHG Emissions?

2. Forest degradation is caused by human activities alone, due to the demands of fulfilling basic subsistence needs.

3. Looking at KFCP in comparative socio-economic terms, the community in Block A is underpinned by tree-based activities; the Block A area is more degraded than Block E, the latter of which is characterised by fishing and trade.

4. KFCP WG wishes to test the basic theory of whether introducing REDD with livelihood activities will have a positive influence on the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation, relative to other activities. This also needs to be set in comparative context with other reports, such as those from West Kalimantan.

5. As well as sustainable forest management, there is a need for community engagement, for example with NGOs.

Workshop Proceedings

Page 10

MSI then asked what might be done about palm oil, given that the economic benefits of this commodity seem so much greater than others, such as rubber, rattan or agroforestry products.

KFCP WG responded that local communities can see how palm oil provides immediate and relatively reliable incomes, as opposed to the abstract idea of a carbon trading scheme.

When a tree is planted, in other words, the output produced from this can be readily calculated.

Communities will actually choose alternative livelihoods that have economic potential – economic needs push the community to choose, and this will be based on their perceptions of whether palm oil or some other product is more likely to guarantee longer term results.

The biggest problem is how to choose alternative livelihoods that are sustainable and that the community can believe in, and that can provide them with adequate support. At the same time, there have been many government efforts to improve local-level economic potentialities, for example through modern agricultural processing in terms of facilities and infrastructure as presented in this workshop by Aswin Usup, but media coverage and the public’s understanding of these efforts are sorely lacking.

Through processes in the field, a number of Indigenous Land Certificates (SKTA) have been made, for example in Tumbang Muroi village. Additionally, the government has formed Protected Forest Management Areas (KPHL) and formulated forestry regulations with the requirement that there be an inventory of potentials. KFCP WG concluded that anyone is able manage the forest, including indigenous and other forest communities, and that the government does not wish to impose undue restrictions: development must be comprehensive and without exceptions, as long as there is clarity regarding status of the land and its related permits.

Workshop Proceedings

Page 11