Benefit Distribution from Forest Resources : Study of A Case in Mataliba', East Kalimantan, Indonesia <Research Note>

This report objectives were to identify main of problems of people in Mataliba'; key actors; conflict contributors and to recommend implementation plans of participatory approach (PAR). The Dayak Bahau people living in Mataliba', East Kalimantan, Indonesia has been faced with the problem of unequal distribution of benefits from the forest located in their customary area stemming from the operation of logging concessionaires granted permit by the government. This problem is exacerbated by the shrinking forest lands and the low income and the lack of alternative livelihood which are considered conflict contributors. Owing to the complexity of the problem and the involvement of other sectors such as the local and central governments, NGOs, private concessionaires and surrounding communities, it is necessary to utilize participatory approaches to arrive at a solution to the problem. In this report, Participatory Action Research (PAR) was applied to come up with a plan of action to empower the local people to an equitable distribution of forest resources benefits. The recommended plan of action to address shrinking forest land were as follows: securing funding for reforestation from the District Forestry Service (DFS), tapping farmers' cooperative as partner in sourcing funds for reforestation, and securing agreement with neighboring villages to ensure proper land utilization. To address low income and the lack of alternative livelihood, the following actions were recommended: defining appropriate boundaries, developing land use plan, and formulating regulations that would govern small-scale logging operations.