Governing a Wildlife-Based Regional Economy: A Prospective Policy Analysis of Swiftlet’s Nest Trade in Indonesia Supporting SDGs 6 and 9

Abstract

Wildlife-based commodities increasingly contribute to regional development across the Global South, yet their governance frequently remains fragmented and weakly aligned with sustainable development objectives. The swiftlet nest trade is one of Indonesia’s most valuable wildlife-derived export sectors, generating substantial local income while raising regulatory, ecological, and sanitation challenges. This study examines how local governance arrangements shape sustainable development outcomes in the swiftlet nest trade in Kapuas District, Indonesia, with reference to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Using a prospective policy analysis framework, the research applies the MULTIPOL (Multi-Policy Evaluation) method to evaluate the performance of alternative policy actions under three governance scenarios: regulatory strengthening, investment facilitation, and literacy and capacity building. Empirical data were generated through structured expert judgment and focus group deliberations involving local government authorities, quarantine agencies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), swiftlet farmers, and exporters. The results show strong stakeholder convergence around regulatory strengthening as the most influential policy lever, particularly in improving compliance reliability, institutional coordination, and resource sustainability. Investment facilitation and literacy programs emerge as complementary interventions that become effective when regulatory coherence is established. These findings demonstrate that institutional coordination and policy sequencing play a critical role in aligning wildlife-based regional economies with sustainable development pathways.

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