by Happy Tarumadevyanto
Benefit Sharing in Sustainable Forests Management
Forest resources have been proven to provide life and a source of livelihood for all. The spread of existing forests throughout the earth is certainly not without reason. The existence of forests turns out to have a positive impact on both humans and the environment and other living things. The main function of forests where various types of dense plants grow is to absorb carbon dioxide emitted by humans, motorized vehicles, factory waste, and other sources. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of forests for the survival of humans and the environment below.
In addition to the short-term benefits in the form of wood, forests also provide various long-term benefits, such as sources of medicinal plants, water environmental services, microclimate, microbes, fungi, maintenance of surface-ground water balance, maintenance of land fertility, flood prevention, landslides, wildlife habitat, which represents more than 95% of the beneficial value of forest resources.
Agroforestry and Sustainable Forests Management
Several research results show that organic farming is able to increase the adaptability of agriculture to climate change, Organic farming activities combined with forestry can provide greater benefits in forest management and adaptation to climate change.
it can also reduce the level of GHG emissions. However, the average production achieved in organic farming systems is still relatively low compared to the average production of conventional farming systems. Until now the organic farming system has not been fully adopted, although some of the principles of organic farming can already be applied, although not yet fully, or are only at the stage towards an organic-based system.
Thus, forest management with communities living around the forest, whose lives depend on forest resources, is a real alternative and has been proven to bring sustainable benefits. This can simultaneously increase the dignity of forest-edge village communities, including customary (legal) communities.
Sustainable forest management is also related to the sustainability of social functions. The social function is achieved if the existence of the forest can have a positive impact on the development of the social life of the surrounding community. Management that pays attention to this aspect will make the benefits of the forest more optimal.
The social function is also inseparable from the creation of solidarity between communities living around the forest. Utilization of forest products should not result in social inequality for community groups. Therefore, forest management should be done collectively.
Benefit Sharing in Climate Change Adaptation
Regarding the concept of benefit sharing, climate change adaptation involve government as the main regulatory agency and facilitator for all. In this regard, the central, provincial, district and village received benefits in the form of monetary or operational funds. Meanwhile, the community receives financial (funds) and programs for empowerment/capacity building/poverty alleviation. Especially the program supports climate change mitigation adaptation.