Forest and Land Fire Policy Implementation and Recurring Fires: A Marxist Political Economy Perspective in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

M Awaluddin, Sri Suwitri, R. Slamet Santoso

Abstract


Recurring forest and land fires remain a significant policy and environmental problem in West Kalimantan, despite the existence of regulations and government measures for prevention, suppression, and rehabilitation. This study examines the implementation of forest and land fire control policy in West Kalimantan from a Marxist political economy perspective, using as the theoretical lens. The study employs a qualitative case study approach based on 13 in-depth interviews with government officials, Fire Awareness Community members, plantation company representatives, and a relevant non-governmental organization, complemented by document review. The analysis uses four study-specific analytical dimensions: resource exploitation, protection, productivity, and concentration of power. The findings indicate that recurring fires are associated with land-use practices and economic incentives that can encourage the use of burning as a low-cost means of land preparation. Government institutions undertake monitoring, fire suppression, coordination, sanctions, and rehabilitation; however, limited equipment, access, budget, coordination, and enforcement capacity constrain implementation. The findings also reveal a tension between productive land use and environmental protection, while the distribution of authority between central and local governments creates an implementation asymmetry. Overall, the study shows that forest and land fire control is shaped not only by technical and institutional capacity but also by economic interests, resource use, and power relations within the policy system. The study contributes to political economy research by demonstrating how these dynamics intersect with the implementation of a regional fire-control policy in West Kalimantan.

Keywords


forest and land fires; policy implementation; marxist political economy; resource exploitation; power relations.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33373/jtp.v10i2.9090

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