Property Rights and Environmental Services in Lampung Province, Indonesia

Abstract

"The impacts of this program on the sustainability of forest use and on poverty in Indonesia are not yet known. Tribudi Syukur's experience suggests that providing such rewards in exchange for environmental services is a promising approach, but it raises several issues worthy of investigation. How do people become aware of and gain access to such a program? Are only 'well connected' villages with knowledgeable leaders able to take advantage? How do community members organize themselves to apply and achieve the management objectives of the program? Do they build upon prior successes in organizing collective action within the community? Who gains and who loses from these activities? Do such programs actually provide sustainable environmental benefits, and what impacts do they have on poverty? This paper presents initial findings from a survey of communities, HKm groups and households in Sumberjaya, focusing on the process of establishing HKm groups along with some indicators of expected program impacts."