28.5.1 Participation and Consistent Facilitation Is the Key
Our observation elicits the fact that the success of peatland restoration requires
continuous and long-term approaches with multiple stakeholder participation.
Against the backdrop of massive drainage based agriculture and high pressure for
economic development and/or livelihood, peatland restoration is a significant step
towards sustainable peatland management as stipulated by the GOI concerning fires
and emission (the crucial functions of tropical peatlands for the local, national, and
global societies). Not only rewetting but also revegetation and economic revitalization are equally important in restoring peat hydrology (increasing water table) and
intervening human dimension. The ultimate goal of peatland restoration is to prevent
severe fires and generate value from peatland restoration for livelihoods.
Even though the early-stage of the peatland restoration measures show challenges
due to multiple socio-ecological aspects, from the three plots of peatland restoration
illustrated above, it is inevitable that sustaining peatland restoration requires the
participation of local people. In the high uncertainties for the technical success of
rewetting, prevention from fires remains at a social stake. A sense of belonging to the
peatland restoration plot is clearly shown by Pak Nur in Tanjung Leban Village,
whose motivation increased by the time he found harmony in the nature and as he
taught elementary students. Comparably, Pak Rustamaji felt that he needed to
constantly maintain and monitor his plot in Rasau Jaya II. The motivation was that
the plot would sustain his livelihood. In 2019, he tried to encourage his plot members
and villagers to keep away from burning peatlands. Villagers in Rasau Jaya II
somewhat have recently realized the benefit one would gain from Pak Rustamaji’s
plot (personal communication with Hani, 2019).
In contrast, the revegetation plot located far away from communities, like that in
the Londerang area (see sect. 28.3.2), remains susceptible to fires as the entire peat
hydrological unit is not yet restored. As learned from Pak Nur’s plot, it is inevitable
that peatland restoration takes long time. Pak Nur started to get the benefit from his
plot and further realized the importance of peatland restoration after 9 years.
28.5.2 Promising Economic Values of Peatland Restoration
from Locally Valuable Products and Internationally
Valuable Ecosystem Services
From the three plots illustrated above, it is inevitable that revegetation plots lack of
or are limited in rewetting, although revegetation is expected to follow paludiculture
practice (characterized by wet peatlands, planted with indigenous peat swamp
species, while at the same time maintaining economic benefit). The absence of
rewetting measure inevitably makes revegetation areas vulnerable to fires unless
the communities feel a sense of belonging and need to the plot. On the one hand, the
local participation will make revegetation and rewetting actions successful if these
770
H. Gunawan et al.
Our observation elicits the fact that the success of peatland restoration requires
continuous and long-term approaches with multiple stakeholder participation.
Against the backdrop of massive drainage based agriculture and high pressure for
economic development and/or livelihood, peatland restoration is a significant step
towards sustainable peatland management as stipulated by the GOI concerning fires
and emission (the crucial functions of tropical peatlands for the local, national, and
global societies). Not only rewetting but also revegetation and economic revitalization are equally important in restoring peat hydrology (increasing water table) and
intervening human dimension. The ultimate goal of peatland restoration is to prevent
severe fires and generate value from peatland restoration for livelihoods.
Even though the early-stage of the peatland restoration measures show challenges
due to multiple socio-ecological aspects, from the three plots of peatland restoration
illustrated above, it is inevitable that sustaining peatland restoration requires the
participation of local people. In the high uncertainties for the technical success of
rewetting, prevention from fires remains at a social stake. A sense of belonging to the
peatland restoration plot is clearly shown by Pak Nur in Tanjung Leban Village,
whose motivation increased by the time he found harmony in the nature and as he
taught elementary students. Comparably, Pak Rustamaji felt that he needed to
constantly maintain and monitor his plot in Rasau Jaya II. The motivation was that
the plot would sustain his livelihood. In 2019, he tried to encourage his plot members
and villagers to keep away from burning peatlands. Villagers in Rasau Jaya II
somewhat have recently realized the benefit one would gain from Pak Rustamaji’s
plot (personal communication with Hani, 2019).
In contrast, the revegetation plot located far away from communities, like that in
the Londerang area (see sect. 28.3.2), remains susceptible to fires as the entire peat
hydrological unit is not yet restored. As learned from Pak Nur’s plot, it is inevitable
that peatland restoration takes long time. Pak Nur started to get the benefit from his
plot and further realized the importance of peatland restoration after 9 years.
28.5.2 Promising Economic Values of Peatland Restoration
from Locally Valuable Products and Internationally
Valuable Ecosystem Services
From the three plots illustrated above, it is inevitable that revegetation plots lack of
or are limited in rewetting, although revegetation is expected to follow paludiculture
practice (characterized by wet peatlands, planted with indigenous peat swamp
species, while at the same time maintaining economic benefit). The absence of
rewetting measure inevitably makes revegetation areas vulnerable to fires unless
the communities feel a sense of belonging and need to the plot. On the one hand, the
local participation will make revegetation and rewetting actions successful if these
770
H. Gunawan et al.