The Constitutionality of Forest Protection in the Era of Decentralization: A Juridical Analysis of the Weaknesses in Anti-Illegal Logging Enforcement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i3.3905Keywords:
Forest constitutionality, Right to environment, Decentralization, Illegal logging, Environmental law enforcementAbstract
This study analyzes the constitutionality of Indonesia’s forest protection within the decentralization regime by combining normative and empirical approaches. Article 28H paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution guarantees every person the right to a good and healthy environment; however, data from 2019-2025 reveal a significant gap between constitutional norms and practice: 2,133 cases of illegal logging in Sulawesi, 22,000 hectares of forest fires in Riau, Sonokeling logging in TTU valued at IDR 600 million, and the smuggling of 55 containers of illegal timber through sea routes. The study finds that fragmented authority due to decentralization, weak inter-agency coordination, and limited enforcement capacity have created an enforcement gap that results in violations of citizens’ constitutional rights. Using the frameworks of environmental constitutionalism, multi-level governance, and the rule of law, this research argues that the state’s failure to fulfill its obligations in forest management under Articles 28H and 33 of the 1945 Constitution constitutes a denial of the public trust doctrine. The main recommendations include establishing a “Green Constitutional Authority,” creating cross-provincial task forces, harmonizing central–regional regulations, and implementing a model of constitutional-based forest governance to ensure forest protection as a constitutional commons that is ecologically just and sustainable.
References
Abate, T. G., Börger, T., Aanesen, M., Falk-Andersson, J., Wyles, K. J., & Beaumont, N. (2020). Valuation Of Marine Plastic Pollution In The European Arctic: Applying An Integrated Choice And Latent Variable Model To Contingent Valuation. Ecological Economics, 169, 106521. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Ecolecon.2019.106521
Adni, D. F., Tenorio, C. B., & Zubaidah, E. (2025). Political Dynamics Of Innovative Policy Development In Managing Forest Fires In Riau Province. International Journal Of Safety And Security Engineering, 15(4). Https://Doi.Org/10.18280/Ijsse.150406
Antara News. (2024). Data Kasus Illegal Logging Di Sulawesi 2019–2024.
Bedner, A. (2009). Consequences Of Decentralization: Environmental Impact Assessment And Water Pollution Control In Indonesia. Law & Policy. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/J.1467-9930.2009.00313.X
Bhamatika, N. W., Nuraini Nabilah Hidayat, Starla Yulia Putri, Ainun Kusuma Dewi, Ubaidillah Kamal, & Muhammad Adymas Hikal Fikri. (2025). Dari Regulasi Ke Implementasi: Problematika Pengawasan Dalam Menghadapi Ancaman Lingkungan Hidup Di Indonesia. PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(4), 5248–5259. Https://Doi.Org/10.56799/Peshum.V4i4.9637
Chhetri, B. B. K., Larsen, H. O., & Smith-Hall, C. (2012). Law Enforcement In Community Forestry: Consequences For The Poor. Small-Scale Forestry, 11(4), 435–452. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S11842-011-9194-7
Desyana, S., Christianti, D., & Dewi, C. (2021). Balancing The Interests Of Justice: The Case Of Afghanistan In The International Criminal Court (ICC). PADJADJARAN Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal Of Law), 8(1), 121–140. Https://Doi.Org/10.22304/Pjih.V8n1.A6
Firdiansyah, R. (2022). EKSISTENSI PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN HUKUM TERHADAP PELAKU KEJAHATAN PEMBALAKAN HUTAN. Jurnal Hukum Dan Kenotariatan, 6(2), 882–894. Https://Doi.Org/10.33474/Hukeno.V6i2.16355
González-Azcárate, M., Cruz-Maceín, J. L., & Bardají, I. (2022). Certifications In Short Food Supply Chains In The Region Of Madrid. Part Of The Alternative? Ecological Economics, 195, 107387. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Ecolecon.2022.107387
KLHK. (2023). Laporan Tahunan Direktorat Jenderal Gakkum.
Kompas. (2023). Penyelundupan Kayu Jalur Laut Di Riau Dan TTU.
Kurnia, K., Fawwaz, I. R., & Herlina, L. (2023). Penerapan Polluter Pays Principle Dalam Perkara Tumpahan Minyak Di Teluk Kota Balikpapan. Jurnal Hukum Ius Quia Iustum, 30(3), 561–582. Https://Doi.Org/10.20885/Iustum.Vol30.Iss3.Art5
Maryudi, A., Sahide, M. A. K., Daulay, M. H., Yuniati, D., Syafitri, W., Sadiyo, S., & Fisher, M. R. (2022). Holding Social Forestry Hostage In Indonesia: Contested Bureaucracy Mandates And Potential Escape Pathways. Environmental Science & Policy, 128, 142–153. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Envsci.2021.11.013
Mayer, B., & Ding, Z. (2023). Climate Change Mitigation In The Aviation Sector: A Critical Overview Of National And International Initiatives. Transnational Environmental Law, 12(1), 14–41. Https://Doi.Org/10.1017/S204710252200019X
Media Indonesia. (2022). Penebangan Sonokeling Di TTU, Kerugian Rp600 Juta.
Mubiina, F. A. (2020). Kedudukan Fraksi Di Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia Pasca Reformasi. Jurnal Konstitusi, 17(2), 437. Https://Doi.Org/10.31078/Jk17210
Ou, D., Zhang, Q., Wu, Y., Qin, J., Xia, J., Deng, O., Gao, X., Bian, J., & Gong, S. (2021). Construction Of A Territorial Space Classification System Based On Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Of Land Use And Its Superior Territorial Space Functions And Their Dynamic Coupling: Case Study On Qionglai City Of Sichuan Province, China. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 18(17), 9052. Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/Ijerph18179052
Pambudhi, H. D., & Ramadayanti, E. (2021). Menilai Kembali Politik Hukum Perlindungan Lingkungan Dalam UU Cipta Kerja Untuk Mendukung Keberlanjutan Ekologis. Jurnal Hukum Lingkungan Indonesia, 7(2), 297–322. Https://Doi.Org/10.38011/Jhli.V7i2.313
Peel J, O., H. (2020). Climate Change Litigation: Regulatory Pathways To Green Constitutionalism.
Prasetya, H. I. (2023). The Law Of Lawmaking As Quasi Constitutional Legislation. Jurnal Konstitusi, 20(1), 36–57. Https://Doi.Org/10.31078/Jk2013
Rahmawan, A. B., & Cetera, K. (2020). Kajian Teori Public Trust Doctrine Dalam Kasus Lingkungan: Studi Kasus UU Minerba Baru. Jurnal Hukum Lingkungan Indonesia, 7(1), 28–47. Https://Doi.Org/10.38011/Jhli.V7i1.178
Salim, K. A. (2022). FAKTOR YANG MENYEBABKAN TERJADINYA TINDAK PIDANA ILEGAL LOGGING BERDASARKAN UNDANG – UNDANG NOMOR 18 TAHUN 2013 TENTANG PENCEGAHAN DAN PEMBERANTASAN PERUSAKAN HUTAN. PERAHU (PENERANGAN HUKUM) : JURNAL ILMU HUKUM, 10(2). Https://Doi.Org/10.51826/Perahu.V10i2.685
Zilda Khilmatus Shokhikhah. (2025). Hak Konstitusional Generasi Mendatang Atas Lingkungan Hidup Layak: Kajian Hukum Tata Negara Terhadap Tanggung Jawab Negara Dalam Pembangunan Berkelanjutan. Jurnal Riset Rumpun Ilmu Sosial, Politik Dan Humaniora, 4(3), 175–186. Https://Doi.Org/10.55606/Jurrish.V4i3.5767
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Amirullah Amirullah, Sri Rahayu, Jenny Ermalinda, Mardiana Hasbullah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
