Udayana University Tourism Faculty Team Observes Ecotourism Fields in Katingan, Central Kalimantan

The Udayana Faculty of Tourism's Leading Research Team conducted field observations, interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in several buffer villages in the Katingan Mentaya Project Zone from 5 to 9 July 2024. This activity aims to collect some regional data related to the potential for development of village forests that serve as buffers. Katingan Project core area as an ecotourism area. This activity was funded by Udayana University LPPM funding support.

The team consisting of Nyoman Sukma Arida and Gede Gian Saputra had the opportunity to explore the Katingan and Kalaru rivers to get a close look at wild and rare wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, hornbills, monkeys, orangutans and others.

The team also visited a guest house located in the middle of the village forest, Karuing village. In Telaga village, a sacred place was also found which is still sacred to residents which has a symbolic message as an instrument for caring for the forest.

The local village community still adheres closely to Dayak traditions and customs even though they have converted to Islam.

In order to enrich insight into ecotourism governance, the team held FGDs in two villages, namely Telaga village and Karuing village, Kamipang District, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. Several administrators and members of the wasita node were present and provided input regarding the challenges and obstacles to ecotourism development which has been initiated since 2017.

In general, both villages still have problems in terms of human resources and supporting facilities for ecotourism, so the villages really hope for assistance from the tourism campus.

Meanwhile, in Tampelas village the team was invited to inspect the construction of a snakehead fish processing factory carried out by PT RMU. One of the CEOs of PT RMU, namely Mr. Rezal Kusumaatmadja, conveyed the big vision of building this factory whose energy source comes entirely from solar power (solar panels). 

In the future, from this initial research activity, it is hoped that there will be synergistic collaboration between Udayana University and PT Rimba Makmur Utama which manages Katingan peatland restoration in assisting local village communities in improving ecotourism governance. (SA)