Locally valued habitats, species and sites and their significance for collaborative land use planning around Manusela National Park, Central Seram Island, Moluccas, Indonesia

Abstract: When new land use policies are made, opinions of stakeholders need to be taken in account, to avoid future conflicts. The motivations of commercial enterprises are often clear and easily communicated but due to inaccessibility and language barriers the indigenous people’s perspectives and needs are harder to reveal. This study therefore aims to identify species and sites of importance for the local people in Masihulan village on Seram Island, East Indonesia. This is a first step to facilitate better integration of local people´s needs into local government decision-making processes.Researchers at the Center of International Forestry Research (CIFOR), with headquarter in Indonesia, have developed an approached called “Multidisciplinary Landscape Assessment” that aims to assess important natural resources for local communities in tropical countries. The method is divided into field-based as well as village-based activities. This report is focused on the village-based activities with community meetings, participatory mapping, household survey, personal interviews and focus group discussions.Among the villagers in Masihulan, the forest was the most important habitat. It was the only habitat used for all use categories; food, income, construction material and so one. However, the establishment of a nearby national park has led to limitations of the forest area that can be used by the villagers. Some villagers therefore see the national park as a threat while others see it as an opportunity. The lack of communication between the park authority and the village has however lead to conflicts between the two parts.