Village institutions in Tabalong manage forests

Tanjung, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Head of Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Forest Management Unit (KPH) of Tabalong, South Kalimantan, Heriyadi said a number of village institutions and farmer groups in the district have the right to manage forests.

"Community forest managed by forest farmer groups in Jaro Sub-district reached 1,830 hectares," said Heriyadi in Tanjung, Tuesday.

While the village institutions are given the rights of forest management in Lano Village with a forest area of 1,000 hectares.  According to Heriyadi, the forest area with the status of Community Forest Plant (HTR) whose permit has been issued is 663 hectares of the total HTR of about 7,000 hectares in Tabalong.

"The 663 hectare of community forest plant is managed by three forest farmer groups," explained Heriyadi.

Meanwhile, related to President Joko Widodo's policy regarding the granting of forest management rights to nine customary institutions, Heriyadi revealed that in Tabalong no adat institution or customary forest has been passed through the local regulation.

The working area of KPH Tabalong covers 234,753 hectares or increased from previously only 117,357 hectares.

In addition, the local UPT KPH is also authorized to manage forest tours through ecotourism programs in Upau, Haruai, Jaro and Muara Uya Sub-districts.

As many as seven ecotourism locations have been identified, namely Lapas Waterfall in Nalui Village and Liang Tapah in Garagata Village, Jaro Subdistrict, then Tengkorak Cave at Batu Buli Mountain, Lumbang Village and Maga Waterfall in Mangkupun Village, Muara Uya Sub-district.