SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING COMMUNITY FOREST SUCCESS (HKm) AT THE TANAH LAUT FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT (FMU)

Abstract

Community forest is one of the schemes of the social forestry program that provides legal access to communities to manage forests. Through this program, communities farmers can increase their income and sustainably manage forests. In the Tanah Laut Forest Management Unit, there are 25 Community Forest Permits granted to 31 forest farmer groups with an area of 5,970 hectares. 18 groups had these permits for 5 years, so it is necessary to evaluate their implementation and the social and cultural factors that influence the success of HKm. An evaluation was carried out using a questionnaire containing criteria and indicators including planning, area management, business governance, forest protection, empowerment, institutions, and other obligations. The assessment uses the method published by the Nusa Tenggara Community Foundation. The results of the assessment of 18 groups became a reference in assessing the success of HKm. Analysis of socio-cultural factors influencing the success of HKm using Multiple Linear Regression with a 95% confidence level or = 5%. The results obtained by the socio-cultural factors that influence include: education level of administrators, amount of assistance, distance to HKm area, average income, the intensity of meetings, and completeness of group administration.