Social capital, community resilience and sustainable forest governance: A case study of the Datuk Sinaro Putih Customary Forest, Jambi, Indonesia

Abstract

Sustainable forest management is crucial for addressing environmental challenges and supporting local communities. This study explores the role of social networks as a form of social capital in supporting sustainable forest management in the Datuk Sinaro Putih customary forest. Through an exploratory qualitative approach, data were collected via interviews, participant observation, and document analysis in the Batu Kerbau and Dusun Baru Jambi indigenous communities. The findings reveal that both internal and external social networks foster resilience, promoting forest protection based on local wisdom. Key forms of resilience—relational, normative, and structural—are critical in preventing deforestation and mitigating external pressures such as corporate encroachment and illegal mining. Strengthening these social networks, particularly through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and research institutions, can enhance equitable and sustainable forest governance. The practical implications highlight the importance of replicating local practices to support community-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research contributes to the understanding of how social networks in indigenous communities can support sustainable forest management and offers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in sustainable forest governance. ©2025 The authors. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).