Forest Farmers in Malang Affirm Their Commitment to Contributing to Forest Conservation
More than 40 forest farmers from the Maju Mapan Forest Farmers Group (KTH) gathered at a forest monitoring post in Tambaktrejo Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan District, Malang Regency, for a thanksgiving celebration and to reaffirm their commitment to participating in forest conservation (September 8, 2025).
The meeting, initiated by Sugianto, the forest farmer activist, was also attended by representatives from Perhutani, the Forestry Service, the Tambakrejo village head, and PROFAUNA. Forest farmers from neighboring villages, such as Sidomulyo, were also in attendance.
KTH Maju Mapan has received a decree from the Ministry of Forestry regarding social forestry management through a community forestry (HKM) scheme. The community-managed forest covers 289 hectares, consisting of protected and production forests.
Tambaktrejo Village Head Agus said, "This social forestry can be a means to improve the village economy. Therefore, it is hoped that any problems will be resolved through deliberation and synergy between various parties"
KTH Maju Mapan has been managing social forestry under the HKM (Community Forest) scheme since 2023, with more than 1,000 farmer members.
"The social forestry program is a government program that allows communities to directly benefit from forests. There are three benefits of forests: economic, ecological, and social," said Anggi from the Forestry Service.
Anggi added, "We also express our gratitude to PROFAUINA, which has been supporting farmers for a long time in implementing this social forestry program"
PROFAUNA Indonesia founder Rosek Nursahid emphasized to the forest farmers that forest management violations, such as cutting down existing trees, must be avoided. "We must demonstrate that local communities are capable of managing forests effectively through this social forestry scheme," Rosek said.
Bulu Wongso Forest Farmers Meeting
Following the meeting with the Maju Mapan Forest Farmers Group (KTH Maju Mapan), the PROFAUNA and Perhutani team moved to another location to attend a meeting of the Bulu Wongso Forest Farmers Group. While the Maju Mapan Forest Farmers Group manages the forest through a Community Forestry (HKM) scheme, the Bulu Wongso Forest Farmers Group operates plantations in forest areas managed by Perhutani.
The Bulu Wongso Forest Farmers Group, which was formed just one year ago, aspires to utilize the forest sustainably. Previously, the forest where they now farm was encroached upon for timber harvesting. Six individuals involved in illegal logging have been convicted in this case.
"I would like to remind you once again that there must be no logging or burning of trees in forest areas if you still want assistance from PROFAUNA," Rosek Nursahid emphasized to the approximately 50 forest farmers from the Bulu Wongso Forest Farmers Group.