MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Anwar Abbas highlighted the importance of balancing forest conservation with community well-being, stressing that sustainability should benefit both nature and people.
“The goal is not just to preserve forests but also to ensure that communities prosper alongside them,” said Anwar Abbas in the Green Ramadan Preaching conducted by the Muhammadiyah Council for Environmental Preservation on Saturday, March 8.
Anwar also addressed ongoing land disputes between local communities and forest management authorities, emphasizing that people should have access to forests since they rely on them for their livelihoods. Additionally, he criticized the government’s tendency to prioritize large corporations in managing natural resources.
“The Indonesian President recently invited big business owners to the Palace. We should remind the government that local communities also need to be engaged in forest management,” added Anwar Abbas.
Meanwhile, Director of Social Forestry Control of the Ministry of Forestry Syafda Roswandi stated that the government has raised its social forestry target from 12.7 million to 15.5 million hectares. He underlined the role of civil society organizations in promoting sustainable forest management.
“Muhammadiyah can be a key player in social forestry and help raise community awareness of its benefits,” said Syafda.
Besides, Chairperson of Republika Nur Hasan Muritiaji introduced Republika’s Hutan Waqf initiative, a philanthropic project aimed at combating climate change through Islamic endowments. He reaffirmed Republika’s commitment to raising awareness about social forestry and conservation.
“Waqf forests are essential because the waqf system ensures their long-term protection, preventing their conversion to other uses,” explained Nur Hasan.
Additionally, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Environmental Preservation Azrul Tanjung noted that the Council and Republika have developed long-term programs focused on environmental conservation and social forestry. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the Council and the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment to support forest-dependent communities.
Azrul also encouraged Muhammadiyah to acquire land from the Ministry of Forestry for social forestry projects, especially in Java.
“Beyond conservation, this presents an opportunity for economic empowerment. Coffee cultivation, which is increasingly popular among young people, could be developed in social forestry areas,” he said, adding that coffee farming in these zones could generate sustainable income for Muhammadiyah local branches.
As an Islamic organization committed to fostering social justice and environmental responsibility, Muhammadiyah is expected to play a strategic role in ensuring that social forestry policies bring real benefits to communities and nature.
Muhammadiyah involvement seeks to transform social forestry into a practical initiative that supports both community welfare and environmental sustainability.
