IPB University’s PPLH Collaborates with Aceh Customary Council to Strengthen Panglima Uteun to Preserve Aceh’s Forests

A research team from the Center for Environmental Research – International Research Institute for Environment and Climate Change (PPLH LRI) at IPB University held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the Aceh Customary Council (MAA) on Friday (2/6) in Banda Aceh.

The FGD, which was also attended by the Chair of the MAA, Prof Yusri Yusuf, raised the issue of strengthening customary institutions in the management of Aceh’s forest landscape, learning from a series of recurring ecological disasters that have hit Aceh.

The MAA views the recurring flash floods and landslides in Aceh as a result of the severed relationship between the community and the forest. Acehnese customary institutions, particularly mukims, have long had effective forest management mechanisms that are deeply rooted in the community. However, this role has not been optimized in modern forest management policies.

From the FGD, PPLH IPB University and MAA agreed on the need to strengthen the role of Panglima Uteun as the frontline guardians of forests at the mukim level.

Panglima Uteun is a customary institution that historically has the authority to regulate the utilization and protection of forests based on Acehnese customary law. Revitalizing this role is considered urgent so that forest management can return to the customary values that have been proven to maintain the balance of nature.

This initiative is part of PPLH IPB University’s action research, supported by a global competitive grant from Explore RECOFTC-Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific. MAA welcomes this collaboration because it brings together academic knowledge and Acehnese local wisdom in a concrete framework.

Dr Tjahjo Tri Hartono, principal investigator of this research program, said that customary institutions such as mukim have advantages because they are directly rooted in the community and have strong social legitimacy.

“Through collaboration with MAA, we hope to develop an integrative forest landscape management model that can be replicated in other regions,” he said.

Going forward, PPLH IPB University will continue to oversee the strengthening of Panglima Uteun in collaboration with MAA. This step is expected to encourage the realization of sustainable customary forest management, in order to prevent the recurrence of ecological disasters and preserve Aceh’s forests for future generations. (*/Rz) (IAAS/DAM)