Eco-edu tourism is a form of utilization of environmental services that can be implemented in partnership with communities around forests. However, in order to offer ecotourism services through eco-edu tourism, adequate sufficient management, tour guides and implementers are needed, both in terms of their number and quality. In this regard, the field of human resources needs to be further developed in order to improve the quality of the available tourism products and services. In line with this goal, the Makassar Environmental and Forestry Education and Training Center (BDLHK), supported by FORCLIME, organized a study visit for the Tabo-Tabo Tourism Village Group (Deswita) in order to learn about independent tourism management to the Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center (PPKAB) on 4 – 7 October 2022. This ecotourism area is managed by individuals who are supported by the owner of the area, in this case, the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGGP).

The management scheme for the Bodogol tourist area does not differ significantly from the management structures that are employed in the ecotourism area of the Tabo-Tabo Education and Training Forest (KHDTK) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, which is set to be managed by the Tabo-Tabo Deswita Group.

During the recent study visit, the participants talked and shared experiences with the national park (TNGGP), the ecotourism manager (PPKAB) and the Bodogol Group of Kampung Hoya. Bodogol Hoya Village is one of the community empowerment programmes around the PPKAB and grows Hoya plants as its main commodity. Hoya comprises a group of tropical plants that boast unique and beautiful flower shapes. As a result of their beautiful flowers and their waxy porcelain-like appearance, Hoya plants are also known as Porcelain Flowers. The Hoya plant species includes Hoya cinnamomifolia.

As a follow-up to this study visit, the institutional strengthening of Deswita Tabo-Tabo will be implemented. In addition, a cooperation agreement between Deswita Tabo-Tabo and BDLHK Makassar that addresses ecotourism development partnerships within the Tabo-Tabo Education and Training Forest is set to be drafted.

For more information, please contact:
Wira Hakim, Advisor for Human Capacity Development
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development

Created: 03 November 2022

The Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve Coordination and Communication Forum (CBLL Forum) participated in the Poso Lake Festival on 20 – 22 October 2022 in Tentena, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. The annual festival was opened by the Governor of Central Sulawesi, H. Rusdy Mastura, while the theme for 2022 was The Magnificent Charm of Central Sulawesi (Pesona Megah Sulawesi Tengah). The CBLL Forum engaged in outreach efforts through a stand that was being run by the Central Sulawesi Provincial Service of Industry and Trade and disseminated information about the biosphere reserve to visitors, who mainly came from around the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve area. This outreach effort aimed to increase public awareness, especially in Central Sulawesi, of the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve area, so that a balance between conservation and economic development based on the protection of natural resources can become a common goal.

The dissemination of information about the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve is a commitment that involves a collaborative effort by the relevant stakeholders active in the biosphere reserve area. The goal of this effort is to improve conservation efforts and sustainable management and, in turn, increase the welfare of the community over the long term.

During the Poso Lake Festival, the booth being run by the Central Sulawesi Province Industry and Trade Service displayed products that bore the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve logo and that had been produced by micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs). The use of this biosphere reserve logo is expected to provide added value for MSME actors, while the product labeling and logo bear the following message: “Purchasing this product contributes to community welfare and sustainable development within the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve”.

Through activities such as the Lake Poso Festival, it is hoped that public awareness of the importance of protecting and maintaining the biosphere reserve for the overall welfare of society can be increased.

For more information, please contact:
Fikty Aprilinayati, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Biosphere Reserve Management
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Adviser for Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi

Created: 28 October 2022

FORCLIME once again organised an internship programme for students in 2022. The intake this time around included four students from Papua Province and six students from West Papua Province. This intake breaks down into one student from Cenderawasih University, two students from the University of Ottow Geissler Papua, one student from Musamus University in Merauke and six students from the University of Papua.

To present its various programmes and activities, FORCLIME held an online and offline introductory training session for interns from 27 - 30 September 2022 in Jayapura City. The objective of this event was to disseminate a deeper knowledge of FORCLIME and several supporting topics, including; development synergy within the environment and forestry sector in Tanah Papua by the Planning Bureau of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) and the development of a Forest Management Unit by the Papua Province Forestry and Environment Service.

Meanwhile, FORCLIME's technical advisors delivered a number of presentations that addressed various strategic areas, including the development of Forest Management Units (KPH), biodiversity conservation, social forestry, climate change mitigation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and gender mainstreaming. In addition, the interns also receive guidance and information on the financial administration system at GIZ and knowledge management at FORCLIME.

During the training, the Heads of Study Programmes at the University of Papua and the University of Cenderawasih offered various directions regarding the Independent Learning - Independent Campus (Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka-MBKM) and the reporting system of each university. In addition, the two heads also explained the assessment system for internship students, whereby courses that are taken are adjusted to the activities that will be carried out during FORCLIME internships.

As part of the training agenda, the interns conducted field visits as an introduction to FORCLIME's activities with partners in a supported village. The interns visited the Dambu Kahbrai Orchid Gallery in Dosai Village, West Sentani Sub-District. This village is one of the buffer villages for the Cycloop Nature Reserve, one of the conservation areas in Papua Province that must be protected due to its unique collection of flora and fauna and ecosystem. In order to protect the area’s flora, particularly orchids, the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) in CA Cyloop has been providing assistance within the village of Dosai through the formation of a group of women orchid cultivators.

In addition to reducing pressures on orchids within the CA Cycloop Nature Reserve, this activity is also expected to provide additional income for the community. The marketing of orchid products in Dosai now involves the utilisation of online marketing. BBKSDA Papua Province has also assisted orchid farmer groups with the marketing licensing process and through supervision so that the cultivation of orchids, as developed by the community, is carried out in line with principles of sustainability.

After completion of the introductory training, interns will be placed in FORCLIME-supported villages in Papua Province and West Papua Province for periods of approximately five to six months.

For more information, please contact:
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Theodora F. Resubun, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua Province
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces

Created: 13 October 2022