The Mosaik Initiative, Central Kalimantan
Site
Bahaur: Community Forest (Manggana Permai Lestari)
Conservation 216,44 ha
Bahaur: Community Forest (Manggana Permai Lestari)

The concept of Community Forests (Hutan Kemasyarakatan/HKm) involves local communities in managing forests for socio-economic benefits and environmental sustainability. In Bahaur Village, the Community Forest is utilized to empower local communities by granting them the right to sustainably manage and benefit from forest resources within production forest areas. By integrating sustainable practices and community involvement, the Bahaur Community Forest areas support economic development through timber and non-timber forest products and biodiversity conservation. This approach enhances local livelihoods and contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing deforestation.

Bahaur Village, located in Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan, has a community forest covering 216.44 ha, managed sustainably by a forest farmer group. The Manggana Permai Lestari Community Forestry is managed by 19 community members who work to protect human rights, prevent deforestation and fires, and maintain biodiversity.

As part of the Gawi Bapakat Program, Bahaur Village is committed to protecting biodiversity. In the forest, there are endemic animals such as hornbills (Bucerotidae) and plants like agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis). In this village forest, separate management is needed, and land use must be identified to protect deep peat and swamps. Though unsuitable for agriculture, the peat forest acts as a natural barrier to reduce fire risk.