Adaptation and Social Resilience in Forest Resources

Abstract

Purpose of this study is to map the adaptability of local communities in the face of
pressure when they experience conflicts over forest resources with the government. The
study took place in the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (GHSNP), West Java and
Sungai Utik Forest, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The GHSNP area is a conservation
forest whose habitat inside is protected by the Government. This area is adjacent to the
Kasepuhan community. Meanwhile, Sungai Utik forest is a production forest whose
utilization permit is controlled by a private company. This area is also claimed to be the
customary forest of the Dayak Iban community. This study used qualitative methods by
taking data through in-depth interviews and participant observation. Then the data were
analyzed by qualitative analysis. The findings of this study are theories of social
resilience in the struggle for natural resources. This theory proved that the adaptability of
local community will emerge when they face a problem or conflict. The same experiences
of adverse events that were very stressful with high-stress levels gave rise to different
adaptation reactions in the two communities. It was due to different supporting factors. In
the Dayak Iban community, the ability of adaptation comes from the support of other
parties, while Kasepuhan community adaptation comes from the ability of individuals to
maintain relationships with other parties. The assumptions and facts found in this study
gave birth to new findings of the theory of social resilience in the struggle for forest
resources