Mapping Buruk Bakul's Village Forest Resources

Illegal logging threatens the remaining forest in Buruk Bakul. To protect it, residents initiated an application for social forestry management over remaining forest and degraded areas not already managed by the community. Participatory identification recorded forest species including ramin, terentang, meranti, kelat malas and wild mangosteen.

Community mapping identified a proposed village forest area of 2,224.81 hectares in the Giam Siak Kecil peatland landscape. Reported land cover comprised 1,324 hectares of scrub and 900 hectares of natural forest.

Residents hope that, once a permit is obtained, zoning and sound management can support both forest conservation and community welfare. The initiative would also help protect peatland and prevent recurring fires in unmanaged areas.