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C. S. Goh and S. H. J. T. Lee
resilience (Marshall 2009). Important to recognise is that different stakeholders hold
different views on land-use that can vary widely even within a smaller administrative territory like districts and villages (Goh et al. 2018). While value judgement is
unavoidable, a ‘balanced’ configuration that satisfies the majority may just not be
truly resilient. In certain occasions it can be more effective with a stronger move
from the higher-level governments, such as the strict enforcement of ‘no burning’
policies to prevent the use of fire for land clearing in Kalimantan. This is of vital
importance to avoid the exacerbation of extreme drought events. Although the degree
of compliance is unclear, decline in fire activities was observed in the recent years
with efforts from multiple parties (Lambin et al. 2018; Noojipady et al. 2017).
The more crucial consideration would be the capability of local actors and their
understanding in the diverse mechanisms in establishing resilient agro-ecological
systems. On many occasions, the stakeholders simply do not have enough financial
means to equip themselves with proper tools in countering unforeseen changes. For
example, key infrastructure like irrigation and firefighting systems are still largely
missing throughout Kalimantan (Goh et al. 2018). In addition, leveraging available resources and local strengths is also necessary. Local communities may also
possess traditional ecological knowledge which they learnt from decades of humanenvironmental interactions (van Oudenhoven et al. 2011). Incorporating these can
further enrich the ‘knowledge bank’ or ‘tool box’ to improve the agro-ecological
resilience.
To make this strategy works, innovative ways of managing landscape are needed.
While investments in both people capacity and key infrastructure are necessary,
effective governance would be the key to steer the transformation as it involves
cross-sectorial and cross-scale coordination. Despite the emergence of multitudinous theoretical and conceptual frameworks, on-ground implementation remains an
arduous challenge for Borneo, especially in Kalimantan. Evidence from many parts
of the world shows that implementing such strategies heavily depends on external
funding if not other forms of strong interventions (Ortiz et al. 2018).
Discussion
The conventional exploitative land-based economies are facing a predicament: how
to maintain economic growth not only without causing further environmental impacts
but also repairing the damage done in the past. This overview identified and discussed
four key transformative strategies with elaboration of the experience in Kalimantan
as well as the associated opportunities and challenges. The first two strategies with
wealth creation as the centre of policymaking may prevent further degradation but
are inadequate to repair the previous environmental damage. Similarly, the last two
strategies that emphasise restoration have limited contribution to economic growth.
The interconnected nature of economic productivity and conservation means that
no single strategy is a perfect solution, although some can be more practical and
C. S. Goh and S. H. J. T. Lee
resilience (Marshall 2009). Important to recognise is that different stakeholders hold
different views on land-use that can vary widely even within a smaller administrative territory like districts and villages (Goh et al. 2018). While value judgement is
unavoidable, a ‘balanced’ configuration that satisfies the majority may just not be
truly resilient. In certain occasions it can be more effective with a stronger move
from the higher-level governments, such as the strict enforcement of ‘no burning’
policies to prevent the use of fire for land clearing in Kalimantan. This is of vital
importance to avoid the exacerbation of extreme drought events. Although the degree
of compliance is unclear, decline in fire activities was observed in the recent years
with efforts from multiple parties (Lambin et al. 2018; Noojipady et al. 2017).
The more crucial consideration would be the capability of local actors and their
understanding in the diverse mechanisms in establishing resilient agro-ecological
systems. On many occasions, the stakeholders simply do not have enough financial
means to equip themselves with proper tools in countering unforeseen changes. For
example, key infrastructure like irrigation and firefighting systems are still largely
missing throughout Kalimantan (Goh et al. 2018). In addition, leveraging available resources and local strengths is also necessary. Local communities may also
possess traditional ecological knowledge which they learnt from decades of humanenvironmental interactions (van Oudenhoven et al. 2011). Incorporating these can
further enrich the ‘knowledge bank’ or ‘tool box’ to improve the agro-ecological
resilience.
To make this strategy works, innovative ways of managing landscape are needed.
While investments in both people capacity and key infrastructure are necessary,
effective governance would be the key to steer the transformation as it involves
cross-sectorial and cross-scale coordination. Despite the emergence of multitudinous theoretical and conceptual frameworks, on-ground implementation remains an
arduous challenge for Borneo, especially in Kalimantan. Evidence from many parts
of the world shows that implementing such strategies heavily depends on external
funding if not other forms of strong interventions (Ortiz et al. 2018).
Discussion
The conventional exploitative land-based economies are facing a predicament: how
to maintain economic growth not only without causing further environmental impacts
but also repairing the damage done in the past. This overview identified and discussed
four key transformative strategies with elaboration of the experience in Kalimantan
as well as the associated opportunities and challenges. The first two strategies with
wealth creation as the centre of policymaking may prevent further degradation but
are inadequate to repair the previous environmental damage. Similarly, the last two
strategies that emphasise restoration have limited contribution to economic growth.
The interconnected nature of economic productivity and conservation means that
no single strategy is a perfect solution, although some can be more practical and