pelivaraan

Pelivaraan is a term used in discussions of community-based resource management to denote the deliberate design and implementation of livelihoods that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable.

Definition and scope

Pelivaraan encompasses strategies for aligning individual and household livelihoods with the health of ecosystems, emphasizing long-term resilience and intergenerational equity. The concept often includes practices that integrate economic activity with conservation goals, aiming to reduce vulnerability to environmental and economic shocks.

Etymology

The word is thought to derive from the Indonesian word pelihara meaning to guard or protect, combined with a suffix denoting practice or system, though there is no universal consensus on its exact origins or usage.

Practices and contexts

Pelivaraan practices typically combine traditional knowledge with modern governance tools, including participatory mapping, co-management agreements, community-based monitoring, income diversification, and risk pooling. They are applied in settings such as forests, coastal zones, rural landscapes, and other shared-resource environments.

Governance and institutions

Local councils, customary authorities, cooperatives, and non-governmental organizations may oversee pelivaraan programs, with decision-making processes often based on consensus, multi-stakeholder representation, or delegated authority from the community. Transparency and accountability mechanisms are highlighted as important components.

Impacts and criticisms

Advocates argue that pelivaraan can enhance resource stewardship, livelihoods, and social cohesion, while reducing vulnerability to external market or climate risks. Critics warn of governance challenges, potential unequal access, and the risk of elite capture if rules are not clearly defined and enforced.

See also

Sustainable livelihoods, community forestry, co-management, ecosystem services.