Analysis of the Impact of Community Forests

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 128 views

Analysis of Socio-Economic and Cultural Changes in Community Forest Participants in Gudang Garam Village, Kec. Bintang Bayu, Kab. Serdang Bedagai

Introduction

The Community Forest Program (HKM) has been implemented in various regions of Indonesia, with the aim of empowering local communities through sustainable forest management. One of the locations where this program has been implemented is Gudang Garam Village, Kec. Bintang Bayu, Kab. Serdang Bedagai. A study conducted by Febi Oktarina Soraya Lida in 2010 aimed to analyze the socio-economic and cultural changes that have occurred in the community as a result of the HKM program. This study was guided by Ir. Luhut Sihombing, MP and Ir. Garendel Siboro, MSi, and was held in May 2010.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to analyze changes in total income, farming expenditure, and the use of labor before and after the implementation of the HKM program. In addition, this research also aims to evaluate community participation, the involvement of institutions, and the level of community independence in the context before and after the presence of the program. The research method used is purposive sampling, with a focus on Gudang Garam Village as a location that is part of the HKM program that is active and can be accessed by researchers.

Methodology

Sampling from farmers involved in the HKM program was carried out based on the year of their participation in the program. This is intended to get consistent and representative results. Analysis of socioeconomic changes was carried out using the two-paired sample t-test method, while socio-cultural change was analyzed by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test method.

Results

The results showed a significant difference in total income, farming expenditure, and the use of labor before and after the presence of the Community Forest Program. In addition, there was also a striking difference in community participation, the involvement of institutions, and community independence in the community. This finding confirms that the HKM program not only focuses on economic aspects, but also has a positive impact on the social structure of society.

Analysis of the Impact of Community Forests

Community forest as a government program has the aim to empower the community through sustainable forest management. With this program, the community not only gets economic benefits, but also contributes to environmental preservation. Revenue growth identified in this study can be associated with increasing public access to forest resources that were not previously utilized optimally.

The importance of community participation is also the spotlight in this study. Before the HKM program, the community may not have enough understanding of the importance of natural resource management in a sustainable manner. This program encourages the community to be more active in participating in forest management activities, thereby increasing their awareness of the importance of maintaining the forest ecosystem.

The involvement of institutions at the local level is an important factor in the success of this program. Support from various institutions, both government and non-government, is very instrumental in providing training and counseling to the community. The independence of the community in managing forest resources has also increased, which is indicated by the existence of local initiatives to carry out conservation and replanting activities of the forest.

Conclusion

Overall, the results of this study provide a clear picture of the positive impact of the Community Forest Program on socioeconomic and cultural changes in Gudang Garam Village. This program not only succeeded in increasing the income and welfare of the community, but also changed their perspective and participation in managing natural resources. Therefore, support for the development of similar programs in other regions needs to be improved so that the benefits can be felt by more people.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The government should continue to support the development of community forest programs in various regions of Indonesia.
The community should be more active in participating in forest management activities and taking care of the forest ecosystem.
Institutions at the local level should continue to provide training and counseling to the community to improve their understanding of natural resource management.
The community should be given more autonomy in managing forest resources, with the support of institutions and the government.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a single location, Gudang Garam Village, and may not be representative of other communities.
The study only analyzed the impact of the HKM program on socioeconomic and cultural changes, and did not examine other aspects of the program.
The study relied on secondary data, which may not be accurate or up-to-date.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Examine the impact of the HKM program on other aspects of the community, such as education and health.
Conduct a comparative study of the impact of the HKM program in different locations.
Examine the long-term impact of the HKM program on the community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides a clear picture of the positive impact of the Community Forest Program on socioeconomic and cultural changes in Gudang Garam Village. The program has not only increased the income and welfare of the community, but also changed their perspective and participation in managing natural resources. Therefore, support for the development of similar programs in other regions needs to be improved so that the benefits can be felt by more people.
Q&A: Analysis of Socio-Economic and Cultural Changes in Community Forest Participants in Gudang Garam Village, Kec. Bintang Bayu, Kab. Serdang Bedagai

Q: What is the Community Forest Program (HKM) and how does it impact the community?

A: The Community Forest Program (HKM) is a government program aimed at empowering local communities through sustainable forest management. The program provides economic benefits to the community, while also contributing to environmental preservation. The study found that the HKM program has a positive impact on the community, increasing their income and welfare, and changing their perspective and participation in managing natural resources.

Q: What were the main objectives of the study?

A: The main objectives of the study were to analyze changes in total income, farming expenditure, and the use of labor before and after the implementation of the HKM program, as well as to evaluate community participation, the involvement of institutions, and the level of community independence in the context before and after the presence of the program.

Q: What was the research method used in the study?

A: The research method used in the study was purposive sampling, with a focus on Gudang Garam Village as a location that is part of the HKM program that is active and can be accessed by researchers. Analysis of socioeconomic changes was carried out using the two-paired sample t-test method, while socio-cultural change was analyzed by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test method.

Q: What were the results of the study?

A: The results of the study showed a significant difference in total income, farming expenditure, and the use of labor before and after the presence of the Community Forest Program. In addition, there was also a striking difference in community participation, the involvement of institutions, and community independence in the community.

Q: What are the implications of the study?

A: The study has several implications, including the need for the government to continue to support the development of community forest programs in various regions of Indonesia, and the need for the community to be more active in participating in forest management activities and taking care of the forest ecosystem.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the fact that it was conducted in a single location, Gudang Garam Village, and may not be representative of other communities. Additionally, the study only analyzed the impact of the HKM program on socioeconomic and cultural changes, and did not examine other aspects of the program.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to examine the impact of the HKM program on other aspects of the community, such as education and health, and conduct a comparative study of the impact of the HKM program in different locations.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The study recommends that the government should continue to support the development of community forest programs in various regions of Indonesia, and that the community should be given more autonomy in managing forest resources, with the support of institutions and the government.

Q: What are the benefits of the Community Forest Program?

A: The benefits of the Community Forest Program include increased income and welfare for the community, as well as a change in their perspective and participation in managing natural resources. The program also contributes to environmental preservation and provides economic benefits to the community.

Q: How can the Community Forest Program be improved?

A: The Community Forest Program can be improved by increasing community participation and autonomy in managing forest resources, as well as by providing more support and training to the community. Additionally, the program can be expanded to other regions of Indonesia to reach more communities.

Q: What is the role of institutions in the Community Forest Program?

A: Institutions, both government and non-government, play a crucial role in the Community Forest Program by providing training and counseling to the community, and supporting the community in managing forest resources.