Nestled in the foothills of the Malabar Mountains in Bandung Regency – West Java, Mekarjaya Village lies surrounded by state forests and the towering 1,690-meter Sangar Mountain, which has drawn more visitors each year. This popularity has opened new opportunities of income for local communities through community-managed tourism. 

Yet, the beauty of the forest that visitors admire today exists thanks to the tireless dedication of local forest farmers who have spent years planting and nurturing trees to keep their land alive. Without their efforts, Mekarjaya’s forest could have suffered the same fate as many other parts of the Malabar range – degraded by land conversion and extensive logging. 

Starting Greening Action Through Self-Reliance 

Asep, one of the village’s farmers, remembered how his journey began when he moved to Mekarjaya in 2018 and quickly joined the community’s reforestation mission. “I already had extensive experience in cultivating and planting trees since 2010,” he recalled. “Together with several local communities, we collected gmelina seeds from the streets to produce our own seedlings. Later, we grew thousands of trees and planted barren land around us.” 

With his experience, Asep became a strong supporter of Mekarjaya forest greening efforts. “Back then, we relied only on ourselves. We planted sandalwood, gmelina, eucalyptus – whatever we could – to protect the land we live, because much of the neighborhood forests were already gone,” he said. 

Managing Forest Through Social Forestry 

Alex, another forest farmer and leader of Mekarjaya Village’s social forestry group, shared how the community has taken collective responsibility to preserve the forest. Today, more than 100 villagers work together to manage around 140 hectares of state forest in their village.  

“We began looking after the forest in 2008, when the government first opened the opportunity for communities to manage it. But it was only in 2017 that we officially gained the right through the social forestry scheme,” Alex explained.  

Through this scheme, they hold a 35-year permit to manage the state forest – restoring and maintaining the land while being allowed to grow crops and fruit trees, but without cutting down forest trees. “Our responsibility is clear: restore and protect the forest by planting trees and keeping it healthy and lush,” Alex said. 

Since 2017, the villagers have held annual tree-planting activities as part of their commitment to forest preservation. “At first, we used our own seedlings,” Alex continued. “But over time, many nature lovers and hikers began donating trees. Their support has allowed us to continue planting new trees year after year.” 

Non-timber Harvesting and Preserving Native Tree Species 

The Mekarjaya forest is rich in native West Javan tree species. “We have puspa, rasamala, saninten, ki semut, and many other tree species,” Alex said. To protect ecological health, the farmers prioritize hardwood and native trees, while for economic benefits, they grow multipurpose and fruit species.  

“We mainly plant coffee to gain economic benefit, as it has high demand and this land is perfect for it,” Alex explained. “We also grow jackfruit, bitter bean, and avocado to harvest non-timber products.” Similarly, Asep focuses on cultivating non-timber trees such as coffee, sapodilla, and bananas. “I also grow damar pine trees – once they mature, they provide shade, while I can harvest their sap,” he added. 

Another farmer, Sutajaya, has chosen a different path. He focuses on creating an arboretum of native trees to support tourism and education. “As Sangar Mountain attracts more hikers, I established an arboretum where visitors can learn about biodiversity while climbing to the mountain,” he explained. 

Trees4Trees Support: Planting Trees Empowering Communities 

In 2021, when Trees4Trees and TREEO launched a tree-planting initiative, farmers in Mekarjaya eagerly joined the program. Around 30,000 trees were distributed, accelerating reforestation and creating a healthier and more resilient forest. 

“This program truly helps us, as the trees allow us to restore our forest more quickly and enhance economic benefit for local forest farmers,” Alex said. While for Sutajaya, the program goes beyond economic benefits. “As the trees grow bigger and stronger each day, they provide oxygen and restore balance to the ecosystem. Native species are thriving, creating habitats for wildlife while improving air and water quality. For me, that’s the most important benefit,” he reflected. 

Together, the dedication of local forest farmers and the support from initiatives like Trees4Trees and TREEO are breathing new life into Mekarjaya’s forests. What was once threatened by degradation is now transforming into a thriving ecosystem that not only safeguards biodiversity but also sustains the people who depend on it. “Those trees make our forest more abundant. They hold immense ecological and economic value that sustain our environment and strengthen the lives of our community,” Alex said.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photos: Kemas Duga Muis