Upper Citarum area, the protected forest flanked by two mountains in the South Bandung, Bandung regency has been neglected. Perhutani given authority by the state did not look to pay attention seriously to this area. Situ Cisanti as the main part of the Upper Citarum into nature is without visitor attractions. Whereas the protected forest areas for water catchment areas is very important and supportive for the needs of local communities to have clean water.

“These areas are managed by several parties, Dinas PSDA (WRM), Perhutani, and the Jasa Tirta Company (PJT). Perhutani manage the tourisms, the bureau and PJT nurture the tree. I work as non structural employee at PJT, “explained a PJT honorary worker which reluctant to be quoted by name in the Regions Situ Cisanti, Village Tarumajaya, Kertasari district, Bandung regency (6 / 5).

PJT has a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the state forestry in order to manage 40 hectares of Situ Cisanti forest area. Since 2003 PJT has planted eucalyptus trees in Situ Cisanti as the rehabilitation of protected areas. However, from 40 hectares of area planted with trees, now less than half of which can be well guarded.

“Eucalyptus wood now has a price. Its about Thirty-Five to Forty Thousand per stem price. If they are not well maintained, soon it will be vanished, “added PJT honorary workers.

Rehabilitation programs in the protected forest area, the Mount Papandayan Lodaya -Wayang Sindu have been done frequently. In 2003 through Critical Land Rehabilitation Movement (GRLK), West Java Provincial Government and relevant parties such as Perhutani and regency government in Bandung planted tree crops like rambutan, avocado, durian, petai, and eucalyptus. Until now the result of significant investment is not appeared.

“Planting is done through GRLK. But it was only for politics status. Each seed planted had to labeled with a name. On behalf of the district, the mayor, governor, state forestry officials, and officials of other Muspida. Age of plant is same with age of the officials. The officer’s replaced, and the tree is dead, ” Dede Jauhari, one of the MPSA (Community Care for Natural Resources) community organizer said a joke explaination about the failure GRLK.

Upper Citarum Protected Area is mostly located under Perhutani’s territory. Some perhutani approaches is implemented through PHBM (Pengelolaan Hutan Bersama Masyarakat) and the formation of LMDH (Lembaga Masyarakat Desa Hutan) in the area covering five administrative regions districts (one of them is district Kertasari-red), and it did not work. LMDH and PHBM did not touch the economic needs of society.

“How would people be interested? Perhutani only talk percentages. 30% for the community, 70% for Perhutani as it was proposed by Perhutani PHBM on the commodity crops such as coffee. While the seeds of coffee and their maintenance would be a part of farmers responsibilities, “said Dede about the program at Kertasari PHBM.

Current population in the Upper Citarum area is approximatelly 66,000 people or 11 000 households. Community’s land is not less than 700 ha around Perhutani land. The need for land for farming is still far from enough. Generally, people in five districts in the Upper Citarum livelihood are still work as around forest farmers and horticulture.

“We couldn’t imagine, community only owned 700 hectares of land, while 66,000 people still rely on farming system. Each farmer only manages seven square meters. Perhutani manages thousands acres of unkempt area. A Critical land, “adds Dede.