Forests are an integral part of nature and human life, and their existence must be preserved and managed sustainably. Forest conservation efforts should go beyond designated conservation zones and be approached as dynamic spaces for community empowerment.
This message was emphasized during the launch of the “Buku Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Kemitraan Berkelanjutan” (Community Empowerment and Sustainable Partnerships book), held on Thursday, Jul. 17, 2025, at the Multimedia Room 1, UGM Central Office.
The book serves as a reflection and documentation of UGM’s long-standing journey in community-based forest management.
UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, stated that the publication of this book is part of UGM’s active contribution to forest empowerment.
Dr. Sujito, who also served as the book’s editor, underscored the significance of forest conservation.
“Communities can sustain their lives through forests. Therefore, conserving forests should not merely be about protecting conservation areas, but also about seeing them as living spaces for empowerment, for communities, academics, researchers, and partner institutions,” he explained.
Dr. Nurhadi Susanto, a lecturer in the Master of Public Administration Program at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), explained that the book is a collaborative work between Fisipol UGM and the Faculty of Forestry (Forestry UGM).
In addition, contributors also include academics from other faculties, such as the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB UGM), the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), as well as the Faculty of Geography (Geography UGM).
Dr. Susanto expressed hope that the book launch would serve as a starting point to connect stakeholders involved or concerned with community-based resource management.
The book offers a comprehensive account of the transformation process of managing the Blora-Ngawi Special Purpose Forest Area as a living laboratory for community empowerment, environmental conservation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
The book is a collective reflection of UGM’s long-standing efforts since 2016 to establish forest governance grounded in education, conservation, and strengthening the socio-ecological capacity of communities.
Divided into ten chapters, the book presents a range of innovative approaches, including biophysical-based land capability analysis, agroforestry practices, and the development of community-based alternative economies, as well as an ecofeminist perspective that highlights the role of women in forest management.
It is hoped that this book will become a significant reference in promoting equitable and sustainable forest conservation moving forward.
Furthermore, the book illustrates ecological challenges, inequalities in access to resources, and the strength of social solidarity observed in the field.
The narratives presented reflect a shift in paradigm from exploitative models to collaborative forest governance, upholding the principles of social and ecological justice.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna