Public Policy Analysis on Watershed Governance in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper, which is focused on evaluating the policies and institutional control of the Brantas River Basin, East Java, Indonesia, aims to review government regulations on watershed governance in Indonesia. A qualitative approach to content analysis is used to explain and layout government regulations regarding planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability of the central and local governments in managing the Brantas watershed, East Java, Indonesia. Nvivo 12 Plus software is used to map, analyze, and create data visualization to answer research questions. This study reveals that the management regulations of the Brantas watershed, East Java, Indonesia, are based on a centralized system, which places the central government as an actor who plays an essential role in the formulation, implementation, and accountability of the Brantas watershed management. In contrast, East Java Province’s regional government only plays a role in implementing and evaluating policies. The central government previously formulated the Brantas watershed. This research contributes to strengthening the management and institutional arrangement of the central government and local governments that support the realization of good governance of the Brantas watershed. Future research needs to apply a survey research approach that focuses on evaluating the capacity of the central government and local governments in supporting good management of the Brantas watershed.

Improved Coffee Management by Farmers in State Forest Plantations in Indonesia: An Experimental Platform

“…Key drivers for this work are to support the integration of the research findings into policy and to aid the adoption of new practices by smallholders. Policymakers need to understand the environmental implications of land management changes, especially in relation to impacts on watershed management or low carbon growth, where these stakeholders have a regulatory role [27,34,35]. Whilst for smallholders, it is critical that we both correctly identify agronomic challenges and ensure that the solutions derived from the research area can be effectively implemented by individuals.…”

How does climate change affect the evidence we need for agricultural development?

“…The third major evidence gap relates to the performance of multiple institutions that function within a specific landscape or watershed (Meinzen‐Dick et al., 2021; Sulistyaningsih et al., 2021; Thiel et al., 2019). In many cases, the optimal scale at which to build resilience to climate change will be at the landscape level.…”

A Review on Sustainability of Watershed Management in Indonesia

“…In the institutional context, watersheds can be seen as natural resources with various forms of ownership (private, common, and state property) that produce goods and services and foster interdependence among parties, individuals, or community groups [35]. Watershed management involves formal and informal institutions, depending on the management level; both mutually reinforce the implementation, especially at the local community level [36,37]. The rules involved in watershed management can be formal legal regulations and informal rules applicable at the local level.…”

“…Watershed management planning mechanisms in Indonesia need to be developed by increasing the participation of all parties, both online and offline; improving the integration of plans from all sectors, government levels, and parties involved; clearly defining the responsible authority; and incorporating the plans in the provincial and district spatial planning. Although the ministry regulation guide integrates the plans of the central and local governments, in practice, the role of the central government is still dominant [36]. For example, the level of integration of the Garang watershed management still needs to be improved.…”