Forest fires in Indonesia continue to pose as an alarming governmental, environmental, and societal concern. This study examines the context of land ownership transformation mainly before and after forest fires in palm oil plantation activities. The data were gathered through in-depth interviews, observation, and Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping. The majority of land transformations occurred from community property ownership to ownership by local elites, while the transformation from company to community and local elites was also found. Due to the injustice of land distribution, local communities occupy open access lands of companies’ concessions. The deliberate use of fire is a common method among smallholder to clear land for oil palm and for sold for profit as planted land. Local elites benefit from these land transformations; however, smallholders are at an economic disadvantage. We argue that forest devolution and a clear definition of community land boundaries are critical in dealing with this issue.

Indonesia has sustained annual forest fires since the 1990s related to land clearing activities for agriculture. The Indonesian Government has made substantial efforts to resolve annual fires by improving intergovernmental coordination at national and local levels. Overall, 96 government agencies are liable for controlling forest fire. This study explores local to central government’s bureaucratic reluctance in addressing forest fires, focusing on Riau Province, the most forest fire-prone region in Indonesia. Data were collected from 2015 to 2019 using participatory observation, engaging in meetings of key players; in-depth interviews with key heads of relevant agencies, officials, and NGOs; and a questionnaire for Social Network Analysis. The results show that there are seven influential institutions for addressing land and forest fires in Riau. However, the power of the decision-making process is concentrated at the level of the President and the Governor as the regional leader, which implies that large institutions involved in fire response have less power and responsibility owing in part to bureaucratic inertia as bureaucracy is overly centralised and less responsive. In the long term, devolution of government authority from the central to the local level is required to furnish front-line institutions with the power to deal with the fires.

This article compares the implementation of community-based forest management (CBFM) practices between South Korea and Indonesia and discusses the political and legal basis of land and natural resources of the two countries. A triangulation method was used for data collection and analysis. As a result, this study developed a theory about successful community institution development on forest management and recommendations for policy at local and national government levels. The Indonesian Government can learn from the success of the Korean Government in implementing CBFM sustainability and articulate local institutions’ strategies.

This study is an analysis of the main criteria and indicators utilised in strengthening local institutions in charge of forest management towards dealing with forest fire incidents in Riau Province, Indonesia. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observation. Out of the 120 questionnaires distributed to stakeholders, 81 responses were received and analysed using Microsoft Excel and with structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques using SPSS and SmartPLS. Four dimensions, including organization, capacity, authority, and governance, were respectively measured using ten indicators. The results showed a significant correlation between local institutions and these dimension variables in highlighting forest management issues. The results suggest a need to strengthen local institutions’ institutional arrangements and their capacities in order to ensure the effective management of natural resources, which may be achievable through the support and co-operation of government institutions and communities.

Actors across multiple levels, such as the private sector, national and subnational government institutions, and local communities, are expected to have the capacity to adapt to climate impacts and risks. This study analyzes how collaborative governance has been developed and carried out by multiple actors in everyday life to adapt to peatland fires in a situation where climate change variability drives fire occurrences. The case study research was undertaken on the east coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, where the challenge of annual peatland fires has increased in the last 15 years. The qualitative data were collected through participatory observations, face-to-face interviews with 35 key informants, and document analysis conducted in 2020. The research finding shows that structural arrangements, knowledge and learning, and resource sharing are essential dimensions in generating collaborative governance to adapt to peatland fires. Multiple actors in the community case study applied collaborative activities during the three adaptation stages: (1) anticipatory measures, (2) preparedness, and (3) responses through constructing canal blocks, conducting fire patrols, and fighting fires. Those collaborative activities are performed in everyday life and have reduced the potential occurrence of fires and the vulnerability of villagers to peatland fires. The study also highlights the effects of domination when powerful actors are unwilling to collaborate meaningfully with local actors, who sometimes share different interests and hierarchical positions.

Background: Many natural resource-related conflicts throughout the globe have resulted in environmental degradation. In Sumatra, Indonesia, a conflict occurred between a timber company and the local community over peatland water sharing, causing annual peatland fires in the transition zone of biosphere conservation. Aim: This study seeks to critically analyse what turning points shifted this conflict to collaboration and what roles did the convener play in the processes involved in transitioning these relationships from conflict to collaboration. Methods: The data were collected through face-to-face interviews, participatory observations, document analyses, and GIS mapping carried out in 2016, 2018, and 2020. Key findings: The findings show that: (1) the conflicting parties realised that there is uncertainty about the problem of peatland fires they face; (2) each party is mutually dependent, for example, concerning legitimacy and knowledge sharing of the fire mitigation; and (3) they are interested in obtaining consequential incentives, such as funding for the local community and mandatory regulation for the timber company. Conclusion: We argue that the convener’s role through its legitimacy, facilitation, mandate, and persuasion is critical. Implication: Without the convener’s presence, the conflict may have never been resolved and could not be turned into collaborative action.