Examination of Tropical Forests as Commons: Based on Positive Survey in Kalimantan, Indonesia

<p>Commons vary in definition and classification. In a wide sense, in both open-access and common property regimes, they are classified into “local-commons” where access to the resource is limited to certain groups and “global-commons” where everyone has access. The former are classified into “tight local-commons” associated with regulation and sanction and “loose local-commons” characterized by free access within the groups. Nowadays the importance of “tight local-commons” is recognized as the defects of privatization and nationalization are observed in various places. This paper examines the forest systems of the Kenyah people in East Kalimantan, involving swidden sub-system, common forests sub-system, and other sub-systems.</p><p>The commons have ecological and socio-cultural functions. To examine the ecological function, three manners in sustainable utilization are categorized to serve as a conceptual device. “Haphazard” sustainable use is defined as the mode of utilization where unconscious action brings about sustainable use of the resources ; “incidental” sustainable use is defined as the mode of utilization where conscious actions for other purposes achieve sustainable use; and “intended” sustainable use is one where sustainable resources management is achieved as intended. It is concluded that the swidden sub-system and common forests sub-system are regarded as “loose local-commons”; the other systems are considered to be “global commons”. Their forest systems go through drastic change because they do not involve “tight local-commons”.</p><p>The change has been caused by “incomplete industrialization”, involving timber revolution in 1970’s, plywood revolution in 1980’s, and re-afforestation revolution in 1990’s, preceded by the long process of incorporation into market economy for centuries. Two alternative responses for the Kenyah people are derived logically: “complete industrialization” strategy where the Kenyah people can adapt themselves to industrialization based on private property regime and “reconstruction of the commons” strategy where new social system may be constructed based on common property regime. Under the present forest policy, the latter may not be available. It is recommended that an Article 2 of Basic Forestry Law should be revised as for the forest dwellers to establish a kind of “tight local-commons” grounded on Basic Land Law, in cooperation with NGOs and the government.</p>