Forest encroachment in Tenggulun has transformed parts of the forest area into plantations. According to the study, the affected area has reached approximately 716 hectares, including areas connected to the Gunung Leuser National Park landscape. Forest clearing not only reduces vegetation cover but also threatens the ecological functions of forests and increases environmental disaster risks.
The situation presents a challenge for the government because forest restoration cannot rely solely on law enforcement. Communities that have long depended on land as a source of income also need to be involved in conservation efforts. For this reason, the policy approach has increasingly emphasized forest management that allows communities to gain economic benefits while helping protect the forest.
From Enforcement to Community Participation
Auliyana and colleagues examined the implementation of protected forest conservation policies in Tenggulun by focusing on four aspects of policy implementation: communication, resources, implementer attitudes, and bureaucratic structure.
The findings show a shift in the approach to managing the area. Initially, encroachment was handled primarily by government authorities. However, taking over land without community involvement created tensions and conflicts.
The strategy was subsequently redirected toward a social forestry scheme. Under this approach, local residents are not merely subjects of enforcement but are involved as forest managers through community-based institutions.
The policy implementation involves the Environmental and Forestry Service, UPTD KPH Region VII Langsa, Forestry Police, the Leuser Conservation Forum (FKL), the village government, cooperatives, and local communities.
Socialization has become an important part of the process. Government agencies and partners provide information about forest boundaries, the importance of conservation, and land-management mechanisms. According to the study, these efforts encouraged some residents to voluntarily return land located within protected forest areas to the state for restoration.
338 Farmers Join the Program
One of the study's key findings is the participation of approximately 338 farmers in the forest management program. At the same time, around 300 hectares of the restoration area have been replanted with various tree species.
Management is carried out through the Tenggulun Maju Lestari Cooperative. The cooperative serves as an institutional mechanism for organizing farmer participation while strengthening supervision of the restoration area.
The planting pattern is also designed to balance ecological and economic interests. Approximately 40 percent of the planting composition consists of forestry species, while 60 percent consists of production crops.
Forestry species mentioned in the study include teak, damar, meranti, sengon, and kruing. Production crops include durian, matoa, cempedak, jackfruit, bananas, and oranges.
This approach is part of an agroforestry system, which combines forestry and agricultural crops within the same area. Through this model, communities can continue to obtain economic benefits from the land without converting protected forest into illegal oil palm plantations.
Auliyana and her colleagues argue that this approach can help reconcile forest conservation with community economic needs. Farmers have economic incentives to maintain productive crops, while forestry species support the recovery of ecological functions.
Restoration Still Faces Major Challenges
Although the policy implementation meets the four indicators of George Edward III's framework, the restoration process remains relatively slow. The main challenges include limited funding, the large area requiring restoration, low participation among some community members, and difficult access to forest locations.
Of the approximately 716 hectares identified for restoration, around 300–400 hectares have not yet been fully reached by restoration activities because of limited resources.
Geographical conditions also make monitoring more difficult. The distance between forest areas and settlements means that community participation and patrol activities require adequate coordination and operational support.
To address these challenges, the government has strengthened cooperation with FKL. Partner support includes field posts, nurseries, conservation education, technical assistance, and support for social forestry programs.
Forest supervision is also carried out through routine patrols involving local communities and FKL. Forestry Police officers are responsible for handling and reporting violations for further action by the relevant authorities.
Conservation Requires More Than Law Enforcement
The study shows that successful forest conservation requires more than enforcement operations. Continuous communication, adequate funding, community institutions, technical assistance, and regular monitoring must work together.
Auliyana and colleagues from Universitas Senior Medan emphasize that involving communities through social forestry can be an important strategy for reducing conflict and increasing compliance with conservation policies.
The approach also provides communities with opportunities to obtain economic benefits without returning to forest clearing for illegal plantations.
The researchers recommend that local governments strengthen conservation education and public outreach, including programs specifically designed for younger generations. Additional funding for restoration and improved road access to forest areas are also considered necessary.
The management of the Tenggulun Maju Lestari Cooperative should also be strengthened through regular evaluations of farmer activities, improved organizational discipline, and incentives that encourage farmers to maintain their managed land.
The study also provides opportunities for further research. The authors recommend examining the long-term effects of social forestry on ecological recovery, farmer economic welfare, the effectiveness of agroforestry systems, and the institutional sustainability of cooperatives managing the 716-hectare restoration area.
Author Profile
Auliyana, Syukri, Fidhia Aruni, and Rabiatul Adawiyah are affiliated with Universitas Senior Medan, while Maryam is affiliated with Universitas Malikussaleh. Their research relates to public policy, public administration, forest conservation, social forestry, and community-based environmental management. The academic degrees of the individual authors were not provided in the available article material.
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