Evaluation of Environmental Regulations in Reducing Natural Resource Degradation in Protected Forest Areas in South Sulawesi

Purpose: This research evaluates the ability of environmental regulations to prevent the degradation of natural resources in designated forests that are among the protected forests in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Although a comprehensive system of laws exists to protect these forests, the persistence of extensive environmental degradation reveals weaknesses in implementation and enforcement. Subjects and Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, involving interviews with governmental officials, local community leaders, the National Offices of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and field officers. This was complemented by analysis of policy documents and direct field observations to capture both institutional and practical dimensions of forest governance. Results: The study finds that environmental degradation persists due to entrenched institutional fragmentation, limited capacity within forest management units (KPH), inter-agency tensions, and poor coordination across vertical and horizontal levels of governance. Furthermore, there is a critical mismatch between state-led conservation programs and community livelihoods, worsened by limited communal planning and a lack of viable economic alternatives for forest-dependent populations. Conclusions: The paper contributes to management literature by redefining environmental regulatory effectiveness beyond legal compliance, emphasizing institutional governance, stakeholder alignment, and strategic adaptation. It concludes that effective conservation depends on multi-stakeholder governance, institutional reform, co-management structures, and adaptive governance tools that align with the socio-ecological realities of South Sulawesi’s forests.