Transforming social forestry through Forest Area with Special Management (KHDPK) in Garut, Indonesia

Abstract. Nurkholid Y, Nurrochmat DR, Purwawangsa H, Nurrochmat NA. 2025. Transforming social forestry through Forest Area with Special Management (KHDPK) in Garut, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 196-210. Social forestry on Java Island, previously implemented through the Social Forestry Forest Utilization Permit (IPHPS) and the Forestry Partnership Recognition and Protection scheme (Kulin KK), has been required to transform the establishment of the Forest Area with Special Management (KHDPK). In response, the Indonesian government enacted Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 4 of 2023. The transformation of social forestry under the permit and partnership schemes is administered by the Minister and implemented through the respective Technical Implementation Units. At the permit-holder level, numerous challenges persist, particularly regarding forest management capacity and readiness for change, which may hinder the effectiveness of the transformation process. This study aims to analyze the roles of stakeholders, the implementation of the social forestry transformation policy, and the organizational changes among social forestry permit holders. Fieldwork was conducted with the Girihurip Forest Farmers Group and within the Kulin KK Permit Area of the Giri Purnama Alam Forest Village Community Organization in Garut District, Indonesia. The findings indicate that primary, supporting, and key stakeholders possess differing levels of influence and interest. However, the implementation of the transformation policy in Garut has been suboptimal due to inefficient bureaucratic processes. Notably, organizational transformation among Kulin KK permit holders has shown greater progress compared to that among IPHPS permit holders.