Empowering communities for resolving the environmental crisis in forest and land fires in Riau Province

Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: yenirosilawati@umy.ac.id

Abstract

The issue of the environment is becoming more complex.

Regarding industry development, the impact of pollution, waste, infrastructure, and social pollution is getting worse. Especially in Riau Province, known for its disastrous peatland fires in recent years. This paper aims to identify the community development to address the environmental crisis in forest and land fires implemented in Kampung Jawa, Riau Province. This study utilized participatory observation and in-depth interviews with the local community. Secondary data were collected in the form of information on programs from the newspaper clippings and reports. The research discovered that local communities initiated the community development program to change the image of peatlands previously known as the source of haze disaster, which also has economic potential. The community development conducted by the local communities consisted of (i) Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA)—a community volunteering to deal with disasters and suppress forest fires, (ii) pineapple farm and pineapple product processing, and (iii) peat Arboretum. This study also disclosed that community development carried out proactive dialogue and engagement with stakeholders, including farmers’ communities, local communities, NGOs, and local government.