The role of land tenure in improving sustainable land management and the environment in a forest zone in Lampung-Sumatra

This study reveals that clear land ownership and community involvement in managing forests are key determinants in having a better environment and sustainable land management. It demonstrates the failure of past forest policy and management, when the local communities are not involved and military force is used to conserve the forest. In contrast, with less government involvement but more secure land rights (as perceived by farmers), local communities have successfully rehabilitated degraded land located in state forestland, thereby creating a better environment with local and global benefits. The main incentive for local communities to manage land more sustainably is the expectation of secure land rights in state forestland through which livelihood and income are realized. This study found that in fact there is room for negotiation between the forestry department and the local community in managing state forest land and that this could not only generate income for local community but would also improve the environment. This study also argues that legal land rights for local communities in state forestland may be used as a reward for poor upland farmers for environmental services that they provide.

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