Evaluation and Strengthening Strategies

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 3 views

The Perception and Participation of the Gayo Lues Regency Community Towards the Success of Forest and Land Rehabilitation Activities (RHL)

Introduction

The success of forest and land rehabilitation activities (RHL) is highly dependent on community perceptions and participation. In Gayo Lues Regency, which consists of three districts - Woyla, Blangkejeren, and Blangjerango - the community plays a crucial role in preserving the forest. Forest degradation not only threatens the existence of flora and fauna but can also trigger natural disasters that harm the community, such as landslides, flash floods, and local climate change. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the perception and level of community participation in RHL activities as well as the factors that influence that participation.

Background

Forest and land rehabilitation activities (RHL) are essential for maintaining environmental sustainability. The community's perception and participation in RHL activities are critical factors in determining the success of these activities. In Gayo Lues Regency, the community's awareness and involvement in RHL activities can significantly impact the rehabilitation of forests and lands. The community's perception of RHL activities can be influenced by various factors, including their level of education, income, and age.

Methodology

This study involved 91 respondents from the three sub-districts of Gayo Lues Regency. The respondents were selected through a random sampling method to ensure that the sample was representative of the community. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The data were collected through surveys, interviews, and observations.

Results

The results of the study showed that the community's perception of RHL activities was positive. The community provided a positive assessment in various aspects, including planning, implementation, utilization, and evaluation. These results indicate that people are aware of the importance of forest and land rehabilitation for the sustainability of their ecosystems and their daily lives.

The level of community participation in RHL activities also showed encouraging results. High levels of participation were seen in each stage of activity, ranging from planning to evaluation. This reflects the community's commitment to being actively involved in preserving the environment. The community involved in RHL activities feels that they have the responsibility to preserve the forest, so a sense of togetherness and solidarity arises in maintaining natural resources.

Factors Influencing Community Participation

Several factors affect the level of community participation in RHL activities. Age, level of education, and income are the main factors that influence how much the community participates in RHL activities. For example, people with a higher level of education tend to better understand the importance of forest rehabilitation, so they are more active in engaging. In addition, income also plays a role, where people who have better income are better able to set aside time and resources for this activity.

Measuring the Success of RHL

The analysis of the success of RHL is carried out on plant height and the percentage of growth. The average plant height compared to the planned number of plants shows the results that still need to be improved. During the two years of implementing RHL activities in Gayo Lues Regency (2019-2021), the success rate has not reached 75%. This shows the need for evaluation and strengthening strategies in implementing rehabilitation programs to be more effective.

Conclusion

The perception and participation of the Gayo Lues Regency community towards RHL activities showed positive results. However, there are still challenges that must be faced to increase the success rate of forest rehabilitation. Therefore, it is essential for the government and related parties to continue to educate and encourage the community to be more active in maintaining environmental sustainability, as well as paying attention to the factors that influence their participation.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Education and Awareness: The government and related parties should continue to educate and raise awareness among the community about the importance of forest and land rehabilitation.
Community Participation: The community should be actively involved in RHL activities, and their participation should be encouraged and supported.
Evaluation and Strengthening Strategies: The success of RHL activities should be regularly evaluated, and strategies should be strengthened to improve the success rate.
Addressing Factors Influencing Participation: The factors that influence community participation, such as age, level of education, and income, should be addressed to ensure that all members of the community are able to participate in RHL activities.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size of 91 respondents may not be representative of the entire community.
Data Collection Method: The study used a mixed-methods approach, which may have introduced biases in the data collection and analysis.
Time Frame: The study was conducted over a two-year period, which may not be sufficient to capture the long-term effects of RHL activities.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Long-term Effects: The long-term effects of RHL activities on the community and the environment should be studied.
Scalability: The study should be replicated in other regions to determine the scalability of RHL activities.
Policy and Governance: The policy and governance frameworks that support RHL activities should be studied to identify areas for improvement.
Q&A: The Perception and Participation of the Gayo Lues Regency Community Towards the Success of Forest and Land Rehabilitation Activities (RHL)

Q: What is the significance of community perception and participation in forest and land rehabilitation activities (RHL)?

A: Community perception and participation are crucial factors in determining the success of RHL activities. The community's awareness and involvement in RHL activities can significantly impact the rehabilitation of forests and lands.

Q: What are the main factors that influence community participation in RHL activities?

A: The main factors that influence community participation in RHL activities are age, level of education, and income. People with a higher level of education tend to better understand the importance of forest rehabilitation, and those with better income are better able to set aside time and resources for this activity.

Q: What are the results of the study on community perception and participation in RHL activities?

A: The study found that the community's perception of RHL activities was positive, with a high level of participation in each stage of activity, ranging from planning to evaluation. This reflects the community's commitment to being actively involved in preserving the environment.

Q: What are the challenges that must be faced to increase the success rate of forest rehabilitation?

A: The study found that the success rate of RHL activities has not reached 75% during the two years of implementation. This shows the need for evaluation and strengthening strategies in implementing rehabilitation programs to be more effective.

Q: What are the recommendations for the government and related parties to support RHL activities?

A: The study recommends that the government and related parties continue to educate and raise awareness among the community about the importance of forest and land rehabilitation. They should also encourage and support community participation in RHL activities and address the factors that influence participation.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including a sample size of 91 respondents, which may not be representative of the entire community. The study also used a mixed-methods approach, which may have introduced biases in the data collection and analysis.

Q: What are the future research directions for RHL activities?

A: Future research should focus on the long-term effects of RHL activities on the community and the environment, as well as the scalability of RHL activities. The study should also be replicated in other regions to determine the effectiveness of RHL activities in different contexts.

Q: What are the policy and governance implications of the study?

A: The study highlights the need for policy and governance frameworks that support RHL activities. The government and related parties should develop and implement policies that promote community participation and awareness in RHL activities.

Q: How can the community be involved in RHL activities?

A: The community can be involved in RHL activities by participating in planning, implementation, and evaluation stages. They can also provide feedback and suggestions to improve the effectiveness of RHL activities.

Q: What are the benefits of community participation in RHL activities?

A: Community participation in RHL activities can lead to several benefits, including improved environmental sustainability, increased community awareness and education, and enhanced community engagement and ownership of RHL activities.

Q: How can the government and related parties support community participation in RHL activities?

A: The government and related parties can support community participation in RHL activities by providing resources and funding, developing policies and guidelines that promote community participation, and building partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders.