Community land occupation in limited production forests: Spatially verified evidence from Popayato and its implications for tenure resolution under the Tora framework

Community occupation of land within state-designated forest areas remains a central issue in forest governance, particularly where long-standing local practices intersect with formal forest boundaries. This study aims to assess the condition of land occupied by communities within the Limited Production Forest in Popayato and to identify the extent, duration, and characteristics of this occupation based on spatially verified evidence. The research employed field verification, household interviews, documentary review, and analysis of land-cover changes to classify occupied parcels and establish their historical continuity. Findings show that community occupation is extensive and deeply rooted, covering approximately 176.90 hectares across two villages. The analysis indicates that 94.37 percent of this area has been continuously occupied for more than twenty years, demonstrating strong intergenerational tenure and local legitimacy. Land-use patterns, dominated by dryland farming and perennial crops, reflect long-term adaptation to ecological conditions and sustained livelihood dependence. These results confirm that occupation predates formal forest designation and cannot be understood solely through legal classifications. The study highlights the importance of recognizing historical occupation and social legitimacy in addressing tenure issues. Its findings contribute to ongoing discussions on equitable forest governance and emphasize the need for policy frameworks that align with local realities and long-term community stewardship.