Cheorwon Rice Paddy, the largest wintering site for cranes

Cheorwon, situated in the vicinity of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), stands as a crucial wintering ground for cranes, an endangered species. Due to restricted development and civilian access since the Armistice Agreement in 1953, the area has become vital for the survival of these birds. The Cheorwon Plain, with its expansive farmlands and reservoirs, along with the wetlands of the DMZ, serves as essential feeding and resting grounds for crane species.

 

A positive trend has been observed in crane populations, with 372 red-crowned cranes and 474 white-napped cranes in the Cheorwon Plain in January 1999 (Kim Sang-won, et al. 2020). This upward trajectory has continued, reaching 833 red-crowned cranes and 2,766 white-napped cranes in January 2017. The commitment of local farmers, particularly since 2004, in preserving rice straws and providing water to rice paddies under the Biodiversity Management Agreement Project has played a significant role in this success.

 

This trust initiative aligns with the Global Trust's mission to safeguard private land in the DMZ (South) and the Civilian Control Zone, preserving it as public property and a 'common heritage of mankind' in the face of development pressures.

  • Integrated partnerships: Collaboration among local farmers, local communities, groups, government, and private sector
  • Legal support: The National Trust Act and related policies provide a legal basis for habitat management and conservation funding
  • Community engagement and involvement: Engaging locals through economic incentives like ecotourism and sustainable farming practices
  • Private sector engagement: private sector support and public campaigns
  • Adaptive management: research and habitat monitoring inform conservation strategies,

The Cheorwon case study offers several valuable lessons for conservation and sustainable community-based conservation:

  • Collaborative efforts enhance conservation: the synergy between local communities, conservation organizations, and corporate sponsors maximizes the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
  • Economic incentives promote conservation: integrating conservation with economic benefits, such as ecotourism and product branding, motivates community participation and support.
  • Legal frameworks support initiatives: a strong legal foundation, like the National Trust Act, is crucial for facilitating and securing conservation efforts and funding.
  • Adaptive management ensures sustainability: continuous monitoring and adapting conservation strategies based on ecological and social feedback ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Broad stakeholder engagement is key: involving a wide range of stakeholders, from local communities to international corporations, creates a comprehensive support network for conservation efforts.
Siska Sihombing
Cheorwon Rice Paddy, the largest wintering site for cranes
Maintenance of agricultural environment and conservation of cranes
Crane-based eco-tourism
The National Nature Trust (NNT) and conservation assets
Siska Sihombing
Cheorwon Rice Paddy, the largest wintering site for cranes
Maintenance of agricultural environment and conservation of cranes
Crane-based eco-tourism
The National Nature Trust (NNT) and conservation assets
Siska Sihombing
Cheorwon Rice Paddy, the largest wintering site for cranes
Maintenance of agricultural environment and conservation of cranes
Crane-based eco-tourism
The National Nature Trust (NNT) and conservation assets
MUVA&Aquapesca
Create awareness and engage the Aquapesca staff in establishing a more gender-inclusive environment
Establishment and Training of a Change Makers Group
Action plans – development of practical tools and policies for positive gender change processes
Design and implementation of a community initiative
Data collection, reflexion, and adaptation for sustainability with relevant partners
Sustainable Alternative Revenue from APL Forests

Recognizing the ongoing threat of APL forest conversion by the palm oil sector, Kalfor identified the need to develop sustainable alternatives for revenue generation, employment, and livelihoods. Despite conservation efforts, only 56% (197.152 ha) of APL forests in four pilot districts have enhanced legal protection, leaving the majority at conversion risk. The project emphasizes finding sustainable uses for these forests that offer economic incentives for conservation. 

Exploring non-timber forest products (NTFPs) emerged as a promising strategy. Studies conducted in districts like Sintang revealed the profitability of NTFPs, with potential for cooperative management. Training sessions for government and university staff aim to integrate the economic valuation of APL forests into land-use planning. Additionally, Kalfor is exploring support for larger-scale NTFP enterprises, utilizing existing research and collaborations with MOEF, research institutions, and successful NTFP companies.

The challenge of providing economic alternatives to palm oil production highlights the complexity of balancing conservation with local economic needs. While small-scale community schemes offer benefits, they may not suffice for broader economic growth needs. Understanding the potential of NTFPs and the barriers to their development is critical. Effective incentive structures for NTFP enterprises and integrating their benefits into regional planning are key steps. Kalfor's experience underscores the importance of aligning sustainable forest use with economic incentives to ensure APL forest conservation. 

Quality Data for APL Forest Protection

For APL (Non-State-Owned Forest Area) forests, lacking legal protection and reliant on voluntary conservation, quality data on forest cover is crucial. The Kalfor project addressed the need for accurate forest cover data in APL areas. Initially, the existing data was unreliable.  MoEF through KalFor facilitation, improved data accuracy using high-resolution remote-sensing from LAPAN collaborating with provincial universities This revised data, showing a total HCVF area of 347,922ha in four districts, provided a solid foundation for decision-making and highlighted the project's commitment to accuracy and empirically-driven, evidence-based practice. 

University partners played a key role in deepening knowledge, classifying APL forests by High Conservation Value (HCV) types, and mapping different areas. This scientific approach boosted stakeholder appreciation for forest conservation. Kalfor's role as a bridge between academia and governments facilitated informed, long-term decision-making, enhancing institutional capacity. 

Kalfor learned that while quality data is vital in convincing stakeholders of conservation needs, it's not sufficient alone. Decision-making often overlooks conservation values, focusing instead on other interests. Emphasizing the limited scope of remaining APL forests and their vulnerability to conversion is crucial. Real-world impacts of this approach include East Kalimantan's use of geospatial data and Ketapang district stakeholders' engagement in forest cover analysis. Accurate data reporting on regulatory impacts and socio-economic outcomes is essential for comprehensive forest protection and project evaluation. 

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement in APL Forest Management

The Kalfor project addresses the Management of Kalimantan's APL (Non-State-Owned Forest Area) forests, threatened by conversion to palm oil plantations. With jurisdiction over these lands contested among various ministries and no specific legislation for their protection, Kalfor recognized the need for wide stakeholder engagement. This approach involves educating and building consensus among government agencies, local communities, private sector, and academia about the ecological and economic benefits of conserving APL forests. 

Key to this process has been a multi-stakeholder consultation approach, involving diverse groups from government, private sector, civil society, and academia in the development of new regulations. Flexibility in strategy, adapting to political changes, and leveraging local initiatives based on stakeholder interests have been crucial. In Central Kalimantan, for example, Kalfor's adaptable approach facilitated the endorsement of two Governor Decrees for forest conservation. 

Kalfor's experience highlights the importance of building strong, wide stakeholder ownership and commitment at all levels. While the project has surpassed its goal of legally protecting over 644,374 ha of APL forest, challenges remain. Pursuing strategic conservation, especially prioritizing high conservation value forests and ensuring their intactness, is still an ongoing task. At the village level, integrating APL forest management into local development plans has proven effective in aligning conservation with community economic and cultural goals. The project demonstrates that in a complex political, economic, and legal landscape, fostering stakeholder engagement and adaptability is key to successful forest conservation.