Exploitation Versus Advocation: A Case Study of Hill Land Use in Bandar Lampung City

Abstract

—Bandar Lampung City is facing serious problems related to the massive exploitation of hill land which has an impact on landslides and floods. To achieve the objective of this study, the researcher uses a descriptive qualitative approach including advocacy and movement analysis and data collection techniques using observation, documentation, and literature review. The results of the study show that most of the hill objects are controlled and become legal private ownership rights. On this basis, landowners carry out land-use changes and take economic value from the exploitation of the hill. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) such as Walhi and Mitra Bentala have carried out various advocacy efforts to pressure local governments so that hill land tenure can be taken over for the sake of environmental conservation. However, the advocacy aspect that has been carried out has not been effective because the contestation in building a pro-environment policy narrative is experiencing difficult challenges. Therefore, the need for political will and firmness from regional heads and related stakeholders in developing hill management policies based on rationality principles, containing truth values and justice.