<![CDATA[Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis implementasi penegakan hukum terhadap tindak pembalakan liar serta mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi keberlanjutan praktik tersebut di kawasan hutan Kabupaten Soppeng, Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan model hukum normatif-empiris, yaitu mengintegrasikan kajian peraturan perundang-undangan dengan realitas pelaksanaan hukum di lapangan. Data primer diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam dengan Kepala Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan (KPH) Walanae, Polisi Kehutanan (Polhut), serta melalui penyebaran kuesioner kepada masyarakat yang bermukim di sekitar kawasan hutan. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penegakan hukum telah dilakukan sesuai ketentuan yang berlaku melalui tahapan penyelidikan dan penyidikan oleh aparat kepolisian kehutanan, penuntutan oleh kejaksaan, hingga proses persidangan di Pengadilan Negeri serta kasasi di Mahkamah Agung. Namun demikian, efektivitas penegakan hukum masih belum optimal akibat adanya hambatan internal berupa keterbatasan sumber daya manusia, minimnya jumlah Penyidik Pegawai Negeri Sipil (PPNS) dan Polisi Kehutanan, serta kurangnya sarana dan prasarana operasional dalam mendukung kegiatan patroli dan penyidikan. Selain itu, hambatan eksternal meliputi rendahnya kesadaran hukum masyarakat, ketidaktahuan terhadap batas kawasan hutan, lemahnya pemahaman terkait dampak ekologis dan konsekuensi hukum pembalakan liar, serta minimnya partisipasi masyarakat dalam melaporkan pelanggaran. Oleh karena itu, peningkatan kapasitas aparat penegak hukum, penguatan strategi komunikasi publik, serta pelibatan masyarakat lokal dalam pengawasan kolaboratif diperlukan guna memastikan perlindungan hutan yang terpadu, responsif, dan berkelanjutan. This study aims to analyze law enforcement efforts against illegal logging and identify the factors influencing the persistence of such practices in forest areas of Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The research employs a qualitative method through a normative-empirical legal approach, combining a review of statutory regulations with their practical enforcement in the field. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with the Head of the Walanae Forest Management Unit (KPH) and the Forestry Police (Polhut), and through questionnaires distributed to communities residing near the forest area. The findings indicate that law enforcement has been carried out in accordance with applicable legal procedures, including investigations and criminal inquiries by forestry law authorities, prosecution by the public prosecutor, and judicial proceedings at the District Court level, followed by cassation at the Supreme Court. However, the effectiveness of law enforcement remains limited due to internal constraints, such as insufficient human resources, limited availability of Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) and Forestry Police, and inadequate operational facilities to support patrol and investigative activities. External obstacles also persist, including low legal awareness among communities, limited understanding of forest boundaries, limited knowledge of ecological impacts and the legal sanctions for illegal logging, and low levels of community participation in reporting violations. Therefore, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing community-based forest governance, and improving public legal education are essential measures to ensure integrated, accountable, and sustainable forest protection.]]>
