Strategy of Conflict Resolution Among Society During Exploration Development Case of Tangkuban Parahu Concession Area, West Java Indonesia

Abstract

However, in next step process of geothermal development, which is the exploration activity, several obstacles are encountered. Among others are : superimposing land use with plantation, forestry or other sector, and conflict with surrounding community. This paper only deals with the problem that happens in Tangkuban Parahu geothermal, where the exploration activity was halted due to community‟s resistance. Although differ in some ways, the case of Tangkuban Parahu Geothermal Project in West Bandung, can be compared with a case of Locally Unwanted Land Uses or known as LULU, which is a generic term for land uses which are unfavorable for neighboring community, also known as The NYMBY (not in my back yard) syndromeWhat obstacles are to be faced by the new regime of geothermal development in Indonesia? Among others, it is the level of democratization of the people, even in village or remote parts of the country. This condition has led to community’s rejection to geothermal development in their areas, as happened in Tangkuban Parahu Geothermal Working Area (GWA), West Java Province. It is worth noting that the same problems also happen in many infrastructure development projects in Indonesia, not solely in geothermal projects. Thus, serious efforts are called to comprehend why this happen, what are the reasons, and how to solve them. In geothermal development, because Tangkuban Parahu GWA is one of the first locations to be developed since the issuing of Geothermal Law No 27/2003, understanding this case can benefit not only for this area, but also for other geothermal development locations. Deeper elaboration of the Tangkuban Parahu Case, especially digging deep into the community’s dynamic, shows that there is no easy answer to this conflict, and no single explanation or solution is adequate. However, there are some significant points in geothermal development process that are worth noted for future improvement, as well as several intangible but important factors. Lesson learned from this case can also serve as feedback for more sufficient role sharing, regulation, and planning of geothermal development in Indonesia.