North Lombok — A local environmental regulation in Genggelang Village, Gangga District, North Lombok, has shown encouraging results in promoting environmental protection. A study by Zawil Fadli, Muh Risnain, and Andi Chairil Ichsan from the University of Mataram in 2026 found that villagers have begun to understand and implement Village Regulation Number 07 of 2022 on Environmental Protection and Management, although independent implementation remains limited. The findings highlight the critical role of village-level policies in maintaining environmental sustainability.
Environmental degradation has become a pressing issue worldwide, reaching even rural communities. Activities such as deforestation, water pollution, and uncontrolled resource exploitation continue to threaten ecosystems. In Indonesia, environmental protection depends not only on national policies but also on how effectively local governments can mobilize their communities. Genggelang Village offers a notable example due to its rich natural resources, particularly non-timber forest products like cocoa. However, these resources face significant risks if not properly managed.
To address this, village authorities and local residents established Village Regulation Number 07 of 2022 as a legal framework to protect forest ecosystems and natural resources. The regulation emerged from community awareness and their desire to preserve the environment while sustaining economic livelihoods.
The research, conducted between January and May 2026, collected data through observations, interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and documentation. A total of 25 informants were selected to represent community perspectives. The researchers examined three main dimensions: knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the environmental regulation, followed by a SWOT analysis to identify strategies for strengthening policy implementation.
The study found that community knowledge remains at a moderate level, with an average score of 2.32. Nearly 48 percent of respondents still have limited formal understanding of the regulation, while 36 percent showed moderate understanding and only 16 percent demonstrated strong knowledge of its content and enforcement mechanisms.
Attitudes toward the policy were more encouraging. Around 84 percent of respondents showed positive acceptance of the environmental regulation, indicating strong social legitimacy. However, researchers noted that much of this support remains reactive, often influenced by local leaders rather than driven by personal initiative.
In practice, 80 percent of villagers have engaged in environmental activities such as waste management, communal clean-up programs, and public space maintenance. Yet most of these actions remain participatory rather than fully independent, meaning community behavior still depends heavily on collective initiatives and leadership influence.
Muh Risnain from the University of Mataram explained that the village’s greatest strength lies in its ecological awareness. Local traditions, community solidarity, and cultural values provide a strong foundation for environmental action.
Still, the research identified major challenges. Limited visual educational materials, weak monitoring systems, and dependence on community leaders remain obstacles to long-term sustainability. Without stronger reinforcement, current practices may lose momentum over time.
The researchers recommend expanding environmental education through public information boards, posters, village social media, and community-based campaigns. Greater involvement of youth groups, traditional leaders, NGOs, universities, and corporate social responsibility programs is also seen as essential for transforming participatory practices into independent and sustainable habits.
The findings suggest that the success of village environmental policies depends not only on regulations themselves but on how well communities understand, accept, and practice them. If strengthened and replicated, the Genggelang model could become a practical community-based solution for environmental sustainability across Indonesia.
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