Access our new policy brief on Social Forestry in Maluku here.
The Social Forestry program in Maluku is an opportunity to achieve and sustain diverse benefits from forests. Unlike many parts of Indonesia, Maluku retains high levels of forest cover and biodiversity, sustained by agroforestry-based livelihoods and customary systems. Social Forestry aligns with local communities’ vision for forests: to obtain economic benefits, strengthen customary institutions (Adat), sustain ecosystem services, provide food, conserve biodiversity, and provide for future generations.
Tanah Air Beta, University of British Columbia, and Universitas Pattimura have been collaborating on research activities in the North Seram landscape to better understand and support capabilities for inclusive benefit flows from forests. Our research indicates that Social Forestry is not yet fulfilling its full potential. But there are many opportunities to strengthen collaboration, build capability, and align the Social Forestry program with local community aspirations.
The issues addressed in this policy brief are complex and interconnected, highlighting that there is no straightforward solution for successful social forestry. Key themes essential for supporting forest livelihoods include providing the necessary infrastructure, listening to the preferences of local communities, strengthening ecological knowledge, and facilitating partnerships. Recommendations include improved coordination on forest-related government programs to enable a coherent and locally aligned vision and concrete actions for Maluku’s future forests.
