Government Responsibilities Related to Converting Forest Functions to Agricultural Land (Study in Batu Malang City)

Fakultas Hukum, Universitas Islam Malang, Malang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: dr.noficy@unisma.ac.id

Abstract

The transfer of the function of a forest area is a change in the function of a forest that can cause environmental damage resulting from human actions. Humans in exploiting excessive natural resources can cause a change in an ecosystem that will affect environmental sustainability. Based on the policies and authorities granted by law based on the principle of regional autonomy, local governments are given the authority to regulate and manage natural resources including the forestry sector in the form of policies. The research problem examines the extent of the government's role and the illegal conversion of forestry land into housing and agriculture. This study uses an empirical juridical research method using an approach by looking at the reality that exists in practice in the field or going directly to the field to conduct research in Tulungrejo Bumiaji Village, Batu City. The government's role in the conversion of forest functions is needed to preserve the environment and protect forest ecosystems. Not only that, with government policies that accommodate the needs and desires of the people, the government needs to make future activities and plans transparent to the community regarding the activities that will be carried out. Not necessarily, the government is obliged to look at the needs of the community.