<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Senami Forest is a conservation area with strategic functions, including education, research, socio-cultural development, and tourism. However, its designation as a forest park is not without its challenges of land conversion and social issues. This study aims to analyze community perceptions of the functions of the Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin Grand Forest Park in Jambi, covering aspects of education, research, socio-cultural roles, as well as tourism and recreation. The research was conducted in Jangga Baru Village, Batin XXIV Subdistrict, Batanghari Regency, from November to December 2023, involving 90 respondents selected through proportional random sampling. Data were collected using a three-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that community perceptions of forest park functions in education (33.33%) and research (33.33%) were in the poor category, while socio-cultural (44.61%) and tourism-recreation (55.60%) were in the moderate category. Overall, the community tends to view the area as more beneficial if converted into plantations, due to limited economic access, low educational levels, and minimal involvement in management activities. These findings highlight the importance of management strategies that actively involve local communities to ensure the balance between conservation, social, and economic functions. Keywords: batanghari, community perceptions, conservation, forest functions, forest park ABSTRAK Hutan Senami merupakan kawasan konservasi yang memiliki fungsi strategis yaitu fungsi pendidikan, penelitian, sosial budaya dan wisata. Namun, penetapannya menjadi Tahura STS tidak terlepas dari berbagai persoalan alih fungsi lahan dan masalah sosial. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis persepsi masyarakat terhadap fungsi Taman Hutan Raya (Tahura) Sultan Thaha Syaifuddin (STS) Jambi yang mencakup aspek pendidikan, penelitian, sosial budaya, serta wisata dan rekreasi. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Desa Jangga Baru, Kecamatan Batin XXIV, Kabupaten Batanghari pada November–Desember 2023 dengan melibatkan 90 responden yang dipilih melalui teknik proportional random sampling. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner skala Likert tiga poin dan dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persepsi masyarakat terhadap fungsi Tahura STS pada aspek pendidikan (33,33%) dan penelitian (33,33%) berada pada kategori buruk, sosial budaya (44,61%) pada kategori sedang, serta wisata dan rekreasi (55,60%) juga pada kategori sedang. Masyarakat cenderung memandang kawasan lebih bermanfaat jika dialihfungsikan menjadi perkebunan karena keterbatasan akses ekonomi, rendahnya tingkat pendidikan, dan minimnya keterlibatan masyarakat dalam kegiatan pengelolaan kawasan. Hasil ini menegaskan pentingnya strategi pengelolaan Tahura STS yang melibatkan masyarakat secara aktif agar fungsi konservasi, sosial, dan ekonomi dapat berjalan beriringan. Katakunci: batanghari, fungsi hutan, konservasi, persepsi masyarakat, taman hutan raya]]>
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