Sustainable forest utilization based on indigenous knowledge of Mappurondo community in Mamasa District, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Irwansyah, Yusran, Millang S. 2025. Sustainable forest utilization based on indigenous knowledge of Mappurondo community in Mamasa District, West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 273-283. Indigenous forest management systems offer vital insights for sustainable natural resource governance. This study examines forest utilization practices based on the indigenous knowledge of the Mappurondo community in Malatiro Village, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, to understand how indigenous knowledge contributes to sustainable forest use. A qualitative descriptive approach was applied through field observations, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model through processes of reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results identified that Mappurondo forest use is divided into two main categories. The first consists of Kamalangngikam and Pasaram customary forests, which are sacred and governed by strict customary rules. Kamalangngikam is designated for women's purification rituals, while Pasaram functions as a burial ground and source of ritual wood. The second category is forests outside customary boundaries, where limited extraction of firewood, food plants, and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) occurs under customary restrictions. Customary taboos, sanctions, and ritual obligations function as effective ecological safeguards, ensuring regeneration and maintaining biodiversity. The study demonstrates that Mappurondo indigenous knowledge aligns with the principles of sustainable forest management by combining cultural identity, ecological protection, and resource regulation. Its integration into social forestry and REDD+ programs offers significant opportunities for strengthening participatory conservation while enriching the cultural basis of forest policy. Policy implications include promoting collaboration between state institutions and indigenous communities, incorporating cultural values into forest governance, and enhancing local ecological education to secure long-term sustainability.

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