Peatland Expansion’s Destructive Effect of Oil Palm Plantation to Traditional Economic Resources

The expansion of oil palm plantations has various consequences. This study aims to explain various traditional economic sources on peatland but have been eroded by the expansion of oil palm plantations and analyze in the livelihood's changes of communities around oil palm plantations. The study was conducted in Tabatan Baru Village, Kuripan District. This research uses a qualitative method. Data collection is done by interview, observation, and documentation. The data analysis is performed through a process of data reduction, data presentation, and verification. The results show that the peatland ecosystem store biodiversity can provide a source of life for its surrounding community. Moreover, with the expansion of oil palm plantations, the livelihoods community has tended to diminish, some have even disappeared. These conditions have forced people to switch to new economic sources. Those who are unable to switch to a new source of the economy still maintain the remaining sources of livelihood. The management of oil palm plantations needs to be done more wisely for the sustainability of the peatland ecosystem.