PERUBAHAN FUNGSI HUTAN MENJADI PERKEBUNAN SAWIT DI KABUPATEN MUARO JAMBI TAHUN 2000–2020

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Penelitian ini membahas perubahan fungsi hutan menjadi perkebunan kelapa sawit di Kabupaten Muaro Jambi tahun 2000–2020. Latar belakang penelitian ini didasarkan pada semakin luasnya pemanfaatan lahan untuk perkebunan sawit yang menyebabkan berkurangnya tutupan hutan dan berubahnya kehidupan masyarakat sekitar. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menjelaskan kondisi awal hutan, proses perubahan fungsi hutan, serta dampak yang ditimbulkan terhadap lingkungan, ekonomi, dan sosial masyarakat. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode sejarah melalui tahapan pemilihan topik, heuristik, verifikasi, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Sumber yang digunakan berupa data BPS Kabupaten Muaro Jambi, laporan penelitian, dokumen SESA Jambi, jurnal ilmiah, serta sumber tertulis lain yang relevan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perubahan fungsi hutan berlangsung secara bertahap melalui pembukaan lahan, perluasan perkebunan rakyat dan perusahaan, serta peralihan masyarakat dari karet dan hasil hutan ke kelapa sawit. Perubahan ini memberikan dampak ekonomi berupa peningkatan pendapatan sebagian masyarakat, tetapi juga menimbulkan dampak lingkungan seperti berkurangnya hutan, terganggunya tata air, serta meningkatnya ketergantungan masyarakat terhadap sawit. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa perubahan fungsi hutan di Muaro Jambi merupakan proses historis yang berkaitan erat dengan kepentingan ekonomi dan perubahan lingkungan.

This study examines the conversion of forest land into oil palm plantations in Muaro Jambi Regency from 2000 to 2020. The background of this research is based on the increasing expansion of land use for oil palm cultivation, which has led to a reduction in forest cover and changes in the livelihoods of surrounding communities. This study aims to explain the initial condition of the forests, the process of forest conversion, and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on local communities. The research employs the historical method, consisting of topic selection, heuristics, source verification, interpretation, and historiography. The sources used include statistical data from Muaro Jambi Regency, research reports, Jambi SESA documents, scientific journals, and other relevant written sources. The findings indicate that forest conversion occurred gradually through land clearing, the expansion of both smallholder and corporate oil palm plantations, and the shift of local livelihoods from rubber cultivation and forest-based activities to oil palm farming. This transformation generated economic benefits, including increased income for some community members. However, it also resulted in environmental consequences, such as forest loss, disruption of water systems, and growing dependence on oil palm cultivation. The study concludes that forest conversion in Muaro Jambi was a historical process closely linked to economic interests and environmental change