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This article discusses the damage to 7,000 hectares of forest out of a total of 18,000 hectares in Sinjai Regency. This damage has been caused by encroachments from local residents who cut down trees in protected forest areas and replace them with productive crops like cocoa, cloves, and pepper. Over time, forest areas that were cultivated by the community received management permits from local residents through the community forestry permit system established by the government. These permits grant communities the authority to manage forest areas, and utilize forest products while ensuring sustainability by prohibiting the cutting down of trees in the managed forest. The utilization of community-managed forests for community empowerment has followed the initial destruction. The research problem centers around the utilization of forest areas based on the principle of maşlahah-based sustainability. The study aims to identify the theory behind the benefits of forest management while adhering to the principles of sustainability. The research methodology involves fieldwork to collect qualitative data. This includes conducting interviews with relevant community members and government officials, making on-site observations in forest areas to gather data on forest productivity, and analyzing documents related to forest management. The research findings highlight the maşlahah theory, which aligns with forest management practices carried out by the communities under government permits, ensuring both community prosperity through the development of commodity crops and the long-term sustainability of the forest.

Government synergy; forest management; deforestation; maslahah