Figure 2. Map of PAR CBFPR Action Arenas (excludes Action Arena 7/ homegarden)
We focused the field testing in the Bengkalis District of Riau Province. The research and dissemination activities, however, will also be conducted in other districts in Riau Province. Riau Province was selected for the research because because it experienced the most frequent forest and land fires forest and land fires.[1] Riau also underwent massive forest conversion to oil palm plantations and constitutes the largest area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia.
Action Arena
Using PAR, together with partners and local communities, we conducted a series of activity, study and discussion sessions through the loops of the reflection, planning, action and monitoring phases at seven action arenas. We facilitated a series of discussions and activities, where we developed a sustainable business model for fire prevention and peatland restoration, constructed restoration facilities and encouraged social transformation in a local community. In a participatory manner and using certain criteria, we identified and selected seven action arenas located at Dompas Village. In general, all action arenas are located on areas with peat deposits with unique biophysical characteristics, with a total of 11.1 hectares (excluding the home garden/Action Arena 7). We classified these action arenas into three types of land management: public, private and co-management land, described as follows:
- The public land, the property rights of which belong to the village (village government’s asset), is currently managed by the Fire Care Community (MPA), hereafter referred to as Action Arena 1.
- Co-management lands refer to those privately owned lands that are managed by community-based groups, i.e. women’s group (PKK) and farmers’ group, hereafter referred to as Action Arenas 2 and 3.
- The private land is owned and managed by farming families, hereafter referred to as Action Arenas 4, 5 and 6. Action Arena 7 is located in the Dompas villagers’ home garden.
- For each action arena, we assessed them for their biophysical, social and economic conditions. We worked together to identify and formulate roles and responsibilities regarding the cost–benefit sharing mechanism, commodities to be planted, business model, landscape engineering, and many other strategies.
Proceed to Monitoring of the Action Arena to understand the latest condition of groundwater level, soil moisture, and solar radiant at each action arena.
Profile of PAR CBFPR Action Arena
Action Arena Monitoring
[1] Sizer, N., Leach, A., Minnemeyer, A., Higgins, M., Stolle, F., Anderson, J., Lawalata, J., 2014. Preventing Forest Fires in Indonesia: Focus on Riau Province, Peatland, and Illegal Burning. World Resource Institute, Washington DC http://www.wri.org/blog/2014/04/preventing-forest-fires-indonesia-focus-riau-province-peatland-and-illegalburning (accessed 20 December 2016)
