Community-based natural resource management in conservation efforts of the Watershed: Case study of Keseneng Village, Sumowono Subdistrict, Semarang District, Central Java

Abstract

Abstract. Emilia F, Hendrarto B, Taruna T. 2013. Community-based natural resource management in conservation efforts of the Watershed: Case study of Keseneng Village, Sumowono Subdistrict, Semarang District, Central Java. Bonorowo Wetlands 3: 73-100. The implementation of the top-down model and centralized management are believed as the main reasons for the failure of watershed management (Daerah Aliran Sungai/DAS) in Indonesia. The failure has prompted the watershed management to the new paradigm in participatory natural resource management, namely community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) at the village level. This study aimed to evaluate the function/activities of governance and analyze several aspects of CBNRM in Keseneng village. The required data for this study consist of primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with villagers, Semarang District, and an NGO (Komunitas Salunding). Data analysis was conducted using a qualitatively descriptive approach to function/activity management and several aspects of CBNRM. The results showed that the villagers' four management activities are excellent and participatory. At the same time, Semarang District-Local government and an NGO (Komunitas Salunding) work as facilitators in Watershed Management. The research results also show that the management also succeeds in the community-based aspects, consisting of five aspects: equity, empowerment, conflict resolution, knowledge and awareness, and biodiversity protection. Still, there is a failure in the aspect of sustainable utilization. Based on these results, the recommendations can be presented: the need for policymakers to support villagers’ initiatives based on community natural resource management, the need to conduct a conceptual model CBNRM replication, and also Keseneng Village should work in partnership with neighboring villages to support the success of the six aspects of CBNRM.