Victimization by industrial tree plantation: re-examination of environmental governance for responsible production and consumption of paper products based on field research

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K01998
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Area studies
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaoka Masatoshi 北海道大学, 文学研究院, 准教授 (80470110)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 植林事業 / 土地紛争 / 環境ガバナンス / 被害 / 自主規制型ガバナンス / 紙・パルプ / スマトラ島

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on a field research in a local community in Jambi province, Sumatra, this study revealed the following points:(1) The locals in the community under study have suffered not only deprivation of access to land, but also deterioration of living environment, and mental damage due to the prolonged land conflict.(2) After self-regulatory governance for responsible production of paper products started working, the paper company under study has actively been engaged in public relations activities with selective disclosure of information. This situation appears to contribute to covering victimization experienced by the people who have been suffering under the conflict. (3) The above-mentioned research results suggest that extensive research on victimization by industrial tree plantation, social construction process of public perception on the governance and its effects on interest relationships among stakeholders etc. are needed.

Free Research Field

環境社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果の学術的・社会的意義は次の2点である。まず、(1)植林事業とそれが引き起こす土地紛争により地域住民が経験している多様な「被害」の実像を示すことができた。また（2）自主規制型ガバナンスが始動後に展開した紙・パルプ企業の広報活動の分析から、言説によって構築される「現実」から土地紛争を生きる人びとの抱える問題が漏れ落ちていることを実例から具体的に示すことができた。