LOCAL PEOPLE PERCEPTION ABOUT FOREST CONVERSION IN “GEGER BINTANG MATAHARI” WEST JAVA INDONESIA

Abstract

Kawasan Bandung Utara (North Bandung Area) is an area of forest administered by Perum Perhutani (A State-owned Forest Enterprise). Much of the forest in that area has been converted into excursion forest. The conversion happened because Perum Perhutani wanted to increase local people’s empowerement. Local people could be involved in managing and preserving forest plundered. Because of that background, this paper will describe and analyze local people’s perceptions about transformation of forest landscapes from the production forest to excursion forest in Kawasan Bandung Utara, West Java, Indonesia, especally in “Geger Bintang Matahari” of Mount Putri. This study used qualitative method with case study approach. In-depth interview with key informants was conducted to obtain primary data, whereas observation and library study were done to gain secondary data. The result showed that forest conversion in Mount Putri was conducted to preserve the forest and to implement Collaborative Forest Management (PHBM) program between Perhutani and nearby villagers. The high attention to forest conversion led to high expectation and motivation within the community to continuously involve in managing the excursion forest Geger Bintang Matahari. This indicates that the existence of Geger Bintang Matahari is well perceived by the people who live around the forest.