Web of Power in the Struggle for Access Rights to Forest Resources: Comparative Case Studies in Conservation and Industrial Forests.

Abstract

The web of power in the struggle for forest resources arose as a response to forest resource conflicts between the state and local communities. In Foucault's concept, power was not held solely by the state but existed in social relations involving various parties. This study aimed to map the web of power in the struggle for access rights to forest resources. It used a qualitative approach and a comparative case study method. The informants for this study were local governments, forest managers, local communities, and NGOs. Ten informants were selected purposively in each location. Data collection techniques were observation, in-depth interviews, and literature studies. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis. The study results showed that in Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS), conflict occurred due to the policy of expanding the national park, resulting in the loss of local community access to the forest area. Meanwhile, in Sungai Utik, the conflict was triggered by a state policy that issued a business permit to use forest products (IUPHHK) in the customary forest area. Although the IUPHHK has never been revoked, the power relations have shown a more egalitarian pattern based on the state's recognition and the community's solidarity. The findings indicated that contestation over access rights to forest resources in two different forests had resulted in two distinct webs of power models. Power relations were not static, but constantly changed depending on the configuration of local communities' political power, legal support, advocacy networks, and social capital.