The Importance of Protected Forests in Providing Clean Water

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 130 views

Introduction

Protected forests in Mount Sinabung and Nature Tourism Park (TWA) Deleng Lancuk play a vital role in supplying clean water for the surrounding community, including Kuta Gugung Village and Sigarang Garang. The research conducted by Dedek Wahyuni under the guidance of Siti Latifah and Agus Purwoko aims to evaluate the economic value of the function of forest water infiltration and forest protection in meeting domestic needs. This study highlights the significant contribution of forests as water resources, which is often overlooked by the community.

The Importance of Protected Forests in Providing Clean Water

Protection forests function as an important infiltration area for maintaining water availability. The filtered and stored water in forest land can be used by the community, but many of them are not aware of the true value of this resource. In this study, the economic value of water from protected forests is calculated using the method of procurement costs and the contingency method. The stratification method is used to determine the number of samples in this study, which was carried out between December 2011 and March 2012.

The results showed that the total economic value of infiltration and protected forests in Mount Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk reached Rp 76,586,602 per year. The average benefit felt by each household reaches Rp 129,151. The total cost of household water consumption is Rp. 5,141,369.3 per year, with an average water expenditure of Rp 8,670.1 per year. Meanwhile, the consumer surplus obtained from the use of infiltration water reaches Rp 71,445,233 per year, or around Rp 120,481 for each household.

Economic Benefits for Society

Further analysis of this study shows that protected and infiltration forests in the Gunung Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk regions make a significant contribution to the community in meeting their water needs. With a low cost and high benefits of water use, the community can obtain a surplus that shows the economic value of the existence of this forest. A high surplus indicates that people feel benefited by their access to water resources, even though the costs they pay for accessing water are relatively small.

The Role of Forests in Meeting Domestic Needs

The results of this study demonstrate that forests play a crucial role in meeting the domestic needs of the community. The economic value of water from protected forests is significant, and the community can benefit from this resource with a low cost. The consumer surplus obtained from the use of infiltration water is substantial, indicating that people feel benefited by their access to water resources.

Conclusion

From the results of this study, it is clear that infiltration forests and protected forests in Mount Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk not only have ecological functions, but also provide significant economic value for the surrounding community. Awareness of the importance of maintaining and preserving forests needs to be improved, so that the benefits can be felt more optimally by future generations. Through an appropriate approach and sustainable management, the potential of water resources from this forest can continue to make a positive contribution to the household sector and the welfare of the community.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improving awareness of the importance of maintaining and preserving forests: The community needs to be aware of the importance of maintaining and preserving forests, so that the benefits can be felt more optimally by future generations.
Implementing sustainable management of water resources: The potential of water resources from this forest can continue to make a positive contribution to the household sector and the welfare of the community through sustainable management.
Continuing research and monitoring: Further research and monitoring are needed to evaluate the economic value of the function of forest water infiltration and forest protection in meeting domestic needs.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited scope: The study only focuses on the economic value of water from protected forests in Mount Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk.
Limited data: The study relies on data collected between December 2011 and March 2012, which may not be representative of the current situation.
Methodological limitations: The study uses a specific method to calculate the economic value of water from protected forests, which may not be applicable to other contexts.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Evaluating the economic value of other forest functions: The study only focuses on the economic value of water from protected forests. Future research can evaluate the economic value of other forest functions, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Assessing the impact of forest management on water resources: The study does not assess the impact of forest management on water resources. Future research can evaluate the impact of different forest management practices on water resources.
Developing a framework for sustainable forest management: The study does not provide a framework for sustainable forest management. Future research can develop a framework for sustainable forest management that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental benefits of forests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Economic Value of Mount Sinabung Protected Forest Water and Twa Deleng Lancuk for the Needs of the Household Sector ===========================================================

Q: What is the main objective of the study on the economic value of Mount Sinabung protected forest water and Twa Deleng Lancuk?

A: The main objective of the study is to evaluate the economic value of the function of forest water infiltration and forest protection in meeting domestic needs.

Q: What is the significance of protected forests in providing clean water?

A: Protected forests function as an important infiltration area for maintaining water availability. The filtered and stored water in forest land can be used by the community, but many of them are not aware of the true value of this resource.

Q: How is the economic value of water from protected forests calculated?

A: The economic value of water from protected forests is calculated using the method of procurement costs and the contingency method.

Q: What are the results of the study on the economic value of Mount Sinabung protected forest water and Twa Deleng Lancuk?

A: The results showed that the total economic value of infiltration and protected forests in Mount Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk reached Rp 76,586,602 per year. The average benefit felt by each household reaches Rp 129,151.

Q: What are the economic benefits for society from the existence of protected forests?

A: The economic benefits for society from the existence of protected forests include a high surplus that shows the economic value of the existence of this forest. A high surplus indicates that people feel benefited by their access to water resources, even though the costs they pay for accessing water are relatively small.

Q: What is the role of forests in meeting domestic needs?

A: The results of this study demonstrate that forests play a crucial role in meeting the domestic needs of the community. The economic value of water from protected forests is significant, and the community can benefit from this resource with a low cost.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Limited scope: The study only focuses on the economic value of water from protected forests in Mount Sinabung and TWA Deleng Lancuk.
Limited data: The study relies on data collected between December 2011 and March 2012, which may not be representative of the current situation.
Methodological limitations: The study uses a specific method to calculate the economic value of water from protected forests, which may not be applicable to other contexts.

Q: What are the recommendations for future research and management?

A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improving awareness of the importance of maintaining and preserving forests: The community needs to be aware of the importance of maintaining and preserving forests, so that the benefits can be felt more optimally by future generations.
Implementing sustainable management of water resources: The potential of water resources from this forest can continue to make a positive contribution to the household sector and the welfare of the community through sustainable management.
Continuing research and monitoring: Further research and monitoring are needed to evaluate the economic value of the function of forest water infiltration and forest protection in meeting domestic needs.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include:

Evaluating the economic value of other forest functions: The study only focuses on the economic value of water from protected forests. Future research can evaluate the economic value of other forest functions, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Assessing the impact of forest management on water resources: The study does not assess the impact of forest management on water resources. Future research can evaluate the impact of different forest management practices on water resources.
Developing a framework for sustainable forest management: The study does not provide a framework for sustainable forest management. Future research can develop a framework for sustainable forest management that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental benefits of forests.