In this thoughtful reflection, Hadi Prayitno, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Wildlife Works Indonesia, shares his experiences working with forest communities in Indonesia. Drawing from his field visits to two distinct villages, he explores the delicate balance between facilitating conservation efforts and respecting local governance structures, while highlighting the importance of community-led approaches to forest conservation.
The day began with the soft murmur of the river and the hum of village life stirring awake. As we entered a small village tucked deep within a forested region, I could feel the weight of my role settling over me, a mix of quiet respect for their world and the awareness of my outsider’s influence.
During this trip, I visited two community forest groups. In the first village, I could see that protecting forest is more than just a duty, it’s now woven into the fabric of their lives. Within this community forest group, men and women gather regularly to discuss conservation, sharing ideas and make decisions that will help sustain their environment.
The work is delicate. As community facilitators, we come armed with expertise in sustainable conservation practices, yet our true purpose is to serve as guides rather than directors. In this village, as in many others, it’s our duty to make space for community wisdom, to find harmony between traditional knowledge and new conservation methods.
A Village Where Equality Thrives
In one community forest group living alongside the river, the voices of their members blend into a chorus of hope and resilience. The community speaks with conviction, debating plans in the language they know best. To outsiders, it may look like a meeting without clear direction. But to me, it’s a living democracy, a rare example of unity in diversity. There are disagreements, moments of silence, bursts of laughter. I marvel at their openness. They don’t shy away from confrontation, yet they don’t aim to overpower one another. It’s a shared dream they’re nurturing.
But there’s a bittersweet truth to this unity. This inclusive approach is just one part of a larger, fragmented story. Nearby, in another village, the dynamics are starkly different.
A Village Where Power Holds Reigns
In the neighboring village, the different community forest group operates like a closed circle. Positions of influence aren’t held by ordinary community members but by those with connections to local leaders. There’s a clear hierarchy— the religious elite sit as advisors, and policy discussions take place behind the closed doors, where most voices are seldom heard. For these leaders, community forest group isn’t solely a conservation platform, it’s a means to solidify their standing within the community. Although I’m welcomed warmly, beneath the hospitality, I sense a gap—a distance between those who hold power and those who merely observe.
At meetings, I see women bustling with refreshments while the village head and community forest group leaders sit in the centre, their presence heavy with authority. It’s hard to watch, knowing that a truer, more equitable approach is possible, as I’ve seen in the village just miles away. Yet my role here isn’t to disrupt but gradually plant seeds of change, to inspire conservation and equality, even when the path feels uphill.
Walking the Line Between Facilitator and Advocate
Our role in these villages is a balancing act. Wildlife Works Indonesia (WWI) isn’t simply here to implement a carbon project. We bring values of conservation, sustainability, and social resilience. But as an outsider, I know that even the smallest of our actions can shift the dynamics here. A casual suggestion could sway a villager’s opinion, our perspectives could unintentionally eclipse their own.
The words of Amartya Sen ring true, real development lies in empowering the people. Watching the community forest group members gather in the more inclusive village, I realize our presence here is not to dictate change but to inspire it, to bring structure and resources without overshadowing the strength of community voices.
As I leave the other village, I think of Robert Chambers’ advice to remain wary of biases and assumptions. It’s easy to assume that communities bound by hierarchy aren’t open to transformation. But I’ve learned that even here, a quiet momentum is possible, one built on trust and patience. With each visit, each conversation, we’re sowing the seeds for a new, balanced structure to take root.
A Journey Toward Sustainable Forest Management
For these villages, the path to a sustainable future is long and winding, with each community’s needs and strengths unique. But whether it’s the vibrant democracy of one village or the challenging hierarchy of another, the foundation for community-led conservation lies in the willingness to listen, to learn, and to support. There is no simple formula for change. It’s a mosaic, pieced together through patience, humility, and a steadfast belief in the power of people to find their own solutions.
In the end, building a true community-led conservation program isn’t about the forest alone. It’s about empowering each community to walk their own path toward a future they choose.
