Carbon Practices in Bujang Raba, Jambi

Lubuk Beringin, situated in Sub-District Bathin III Ulu, Bungo district, Jambi province, covers a total area of 2,800 hectares, of which 84 percent is designated as watershed protection forest (Akiefnawati et al., 2010a). In 1997, the village joined the Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) - Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) program, managed by NGO KKI-Warsi to establish village rules for environmental preservation. The agreement encompassed commitments such as preserving forest areas, refraining from cultivating land with slopes steeper than 80 degrees, and planting bamboo along riverbanks to prevent erosion and landslides. The ICDP-KSNP came to an end in 2002 due to evaluations indicating that its objectives were not met (Akiefnawati et al., 2010a). Despite its failure, the program enabled a relationship between the local villagers and NGO KKI-Warsi regarding natural resources management and biodiversity conservation .

In 2008, KKI-Warsi approached the Lubuk Beringin officials about the opportunity to apply for a forest management permit in their region (Sari, 2013). This led to an event as the Minister of Forestry officially awarded Lubuk Beringin as the first village forest (Hutan Desa) management right on March 30, 2009. Covering an expanse of 2,356 hectares within the Bukit Panjang-Rantau Bayur Forest, this area is now under the stewardship of the Lubuk Beringin village administration (Akiefnawati et al., 2010b). The forest area is determined by the Ministry of Forests based on a proposal prepared by the village and submitted by the head of the regency. The Ministry of Forests issues a 35-year management license, during which the village establishes a forest management institution responsible for creating a comprehensive 35-year management plan along with annual plans. In a protected forest like Hutan Desa, revenue streams are limited due to the forest's location in ecologically significant areas, such as steep slopes prone to erosion or watershed catchment areas. Activities are confined to harvesting non-forest timber products, but communities can engage in afforestation activities to generate revenue through REDD+ or payment for ecosystem services schemes.