Geography Final Oral: Conservation & Decentralization in Indonesia

April 2, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Mānoa Campus, Saunders Hall 442

On the Political Edge: Conservation in an Era of Decentralization and Democratization in Central Sumatra, Indonesia.

by Keith Bettinger
PhD Candidate

The dissertation examines the effects of Indonesia's decentralization and democratization reforms on Kerinci Seblat National Park, a large protected area on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Post-Suharto reforms since 1998 have radically altered the dynamics of formal and informal politics in Indonesia. This is significant in places like rural Sumatra, where the economy is heavily reliant on primary sector activity. The reforms have led to an increase in direct and indirect pressures on the park. This dissertation examines these changes from the perspective of political ecology, political economy, providing a comprehensive analysis of the structure and form of decentralization and democratization in Indonesia as well as the implications for national park-based conservation in Indonesia.


Event Sponsor
Geography, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Krisna Suryanata, (808) 956-7384, krisnawa@hawaii.edu

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