Rattan and The Mine: Undermining sustainability solution on a resource frontier Emban Ibnurusyd Masud, Muh. Alif K. Sahide, Micah R. Fisher, Ahmad Maryudi, Nurhady Sirimorok, Nurdin Dalya, Muhammad Ichwan Kadir, Dadang Anugrah
Hasanuddin University
Abstract
Numerous international development projects, especially in Indonesia, have tried to support initiatives for livelihood opportunities that also protect forests. Nevertheless, well-funded programs and projects often fall short of achieving these goals, and more perplexingly, explanations for these shortcomings are scant. In 2015, West Sulawesi - a newly established province facing tough decisions about development conservation - received significant international support to try to reshape development towards more sustainable industries. In this article, we closely examine efforts to invigorate the rattan industry in several villages as a way to improve local livelihoods to continue to protect local forests. The site had significant potential for developing the rattan industry, with the natural resources and supply chain potential, and external facilitation from NGOs sought to support its development. Nevertheless, local industry priorities began to shift to mining. Based on research over five years, involving facilitators of the initiative and followed up by investigations with the community beyond the project period, we examined why priorities changed. The breakdown of the rattan initiatives and the transition to mining is attributable to several key reasons. There was a significant investment to ensure the initial success of the rattan industry, but its successes were predicated on longer-term investments and returns. Conversely, the pace of development and returns from mining provided opportunities for quick investment returns, which were further bolstered by the embedded networks of local elites and broader industry influence that ultimately led to the transition to mining. This research highlights the way that the seemingly obvious transitions to more sustainable development industries are complicated by local factors and showcases how the broader goals are undermined during implementation.
Keywords: Non-Government Organization, Political Ecology
Topic: Topik B: Community partnership for biodiversity conservation
