Sebijak Institute Faculty of Forestry UGM, Forest and Society Research Group of Hassanudin University, and East West Center participated in the Association for Asian Studies (AAS)-in-Asia Conference with the panel theme discussion “Vulnerable Deltas in Transition: Histories, Livehoods, and Environmental Governance” on July 11, 2024. The panel was based on a collaborative project entitled “Capital Transformation in the Mahakam Delta Region: Land-use, Climate Change, Mobility, and Financing Indonesia’s New Political Center” funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. The delta is a hub of biological and economic productivity, generating both socio-cultural vitality and material wealth. This project delved into the complex interplay of socioeconomic and environmental vulnerabilities across various resource sectors, exacerbated by climate change and rapid development. Dr. Dwi Laraswati from Sebijak Institute chaired the panel, with Dr. Micah R. Fisher from the East West Center and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Maryudi from Sebijak Institute serving as discussants.
Four students from diverse academic backgrounds presented their research. M. Haidar Daulay, a doctoral student from the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, unveiled a study titled “Rendering Deltas Conservable: A Case Study in the Mahakam Delta-Scape”. His research highlighted the oversimplification of mangrove restoration challenges by development agencies, neglecting the underlying political and economic factors. He emphasized the need to explore alternative narratives beyond technical explanations.
M. Ilham Basmar, a master’s student from the Faculty of Forestry, Hasanuddin University, presented “The Bugis Migration in the Mahakam Delta: The Impact of Migrants on Livelihoods and the Rural Landscape.” Basmar’s research delved into the historical and contextual dimensions of Bugis migration to the Mahakam Delta, particularly focusing on Tani Baru Village. The study examined the formation of Bugis migrant communities and their subsequent influence on local livelihoods and the rural environment.
Fatma Tiara Mahfudiani, an undergraduate student from the Faculty of Forestry Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented a DPSIR analysis of land cover changes in the Mahakam Delta. Her research identified mangrove conversion for mining and shrimp farming as primary drivers of land cover change. Increased oil and gas permits and shrimp pond expansion have intensified pressures on the delta’s ecosystem. Consequently, mangrove coverage has declined to less than half of its original extent. While the region has experienced economic growth, indicated by a rising Gross Domestic Regional Bruto (GRDP) and Human Development Index (HDI), negative ecological impacts such as biodiversity loss, reduced fisheries yield, and declining shrimp pond productivity have emerged. Social consequences include coastal erosion and displacement. To address these challenges, a combination of individual, community, and policy-level responses is required.
Ratnasiwi Triari Ambarwati, an undergraduate student from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented “Rusty Nails, ‘Thick Wallet’: Social Class Dynamics in Pond Production in Mahakam Delta”. Her research delved into the reasons behind the dominance of large-scale farmers in shrimp pond production, despite the sector’s low entry costs. She identified four key factors contributing to social stratification among Tani Baru pond farmers: disparities in capital and equipment, differing wealth accumulation strategies, income inequality, and variations in income allocation.
The four studies comprehensively interrelate and illustrate the socio-cultural life of typical delta communities that intersect with environmental issues. By integrating sociocultural perspectives with environmental solutions, a holistic approach can be developed to enhance the delta’s resilience and sustainability. The dialectics that are built in the end can be used as a reference or policy development to be more targeted. The hope is to be able to improve the quality of the community’s economic welfare while protecting ecosystems that are vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.