Adaptation Strategies and Resilience of LOCAL Communities in the Struggling of Forest Resources

This study aims to map the adaptation strategies of the local communities in the context of conflicts over forest resources with the government. This study was conducted on two locations: Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (GHSNP), West Java and Sungai Utik Forest, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. GHNSP is a conservation area where there is Kasepuhan community. Meanwhile,  Sungai Utik forest is the site of a cultural heritage where Dayak Iban community lives.  However, in this area there also some forest concessions (HPH).  In this study, a constructive paradigm was used. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation. Data were subjected to a qualitative analysis. Results showed that the local communities in the two sites had different adaptation strategies and resiliences. Both communities experienced very challenging events with high stress levels and  threat in the form of losing their access to control forest resources.  However, in  the context of conflict, they managed to survive. The resilience of Dayak Iban community came from the support of other parties (the support received from surrounding people) while the resilience of Kasepuhan community came from the ability of its individuals in maitaining relationship with other parties (social and interpersonal skills or the ability to seek outside support). The assumptions and facts found in this study supported a new theory of "Social resilience in the struggle for forest resources”. Resilience was understood as a struggle for survival. In other words,  complex social conflict might bring social resilience.