Challenges of Multi-Level Collaboration in the Management of West Bali National Park Susanti- Ivan Budi Susetyo- Putu Ariadi Pribadi
Doctoral Program in Public Administration, Universitas Terbuka
Abstract
West Bali National Park (WBNP) is a strategic conservation area of significant biodiversity value, serving as the natural habitat of the Bali starling while also functioning as an ecological buffer and a pillar of tourism development in western Bali. The management of this area is inherently multi-level and cross-sectoral in nature, involving the central government, provincial and district governments, village administrations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Rather than generating synergy, however, the complexity of actor involvement has given rise to a range of structural challenges that hinder the overall effectiveness of park governance.
This study aims to identify and analyze the challenges of multi-level collaboration in the management of WBNP using a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with cross-sectoral informants, analysis of policy documents, and secondary data review, subsequently analyzed thematically to map the patterns and root causes of inter-actor coordination problems.
The findings reveal five interrelated challenges underlying WBNP management. First, overlapping authority between the central government, through the National Park Office, and local governments has blurred the boundaries of responsibility in decision-making, particularly concerning the utilization of terrestrial and marine space. Second, weak inter-level coordination has resulted in fragmented and poorly synchronized policies, impeding timely responses to field-level issues. Third, limited funding constitutes a fundamental constraint that restricts operational capacity, whether in area surveillance, community empowerment, or the strengthening of cross-actor institutions. Fourth, conflicting interests among conservation objectives, tourism-driven economic agendas, and the livelihood needs of surrounding communities further complicate collaborative decision-making processes. Fifth, community participation in WBNP management remains limited and has yet to be systematically integrated into formal decision-making mechanisms, leaving local wisdom and social capital underutilized.
These five challenges indicate that governance issues in WBNP are not merely technical-administrative in nature but structural, requiring institutional realignment through a more integrated Multi-Level Governance approach. This study recommends strengthening formal coordination mechanisms across government levels, diversifying collaborative funding sources, aligning stakeholder interests through inclusive negotiation forums, and institutionalizing community participation as an integral part of the decision-making process. These findings are expected to inform the formulation of more collaborative, responsive, and sustainable national park management policies in Indonesia.
Keywords: multi-level collaboration- overlapping authority- inter-level coordination- community participation- West Bali National Park
Topic: Building Adaptive and Digitally-Enabled Public Administrations for Responsive Governance (Adaptive Governance- Digital Public Administration- Responsive Public Service Delivery)
