Eco-Tourism in the Rain Forest of Western Java, Indonesia

by Biological Science Club

Partners:

Biological Science Club (BScC) Gunung Halimun National Park (PHPA) McDonald's Indonesia Family Restaurants Wildlife Preservation Trust International Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Studies, University of Indonesia

Success Stories

When first putting ëpen to paperí we found it difficult to think of success stories, but all too easy to think of the challenges -- a little depressing at first. Looking closely at this problem we realized that our small success stories are important elements to the success of the project as a whole. Here are three examples:

Our first area of success is the fact that guests are returning -- not just once, but some three or four times. Many have phoned the consortium office to say how much they enjoyed their stay and that they plan to visit to the other sites. It's a real thrill to be on the receiving end of such a phone call. These complimentary, encouraging words from the guests have put nice big smiles on the field managers' faces. The enterprise members may not have smiled openly, when they were given the compliments, but I'm sure the inside smile was just as big, if not bigger than the field managers'.

For any ecotourism venture, word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising. The lodges provide people who live in the high stress environment of Jakarta an opportunity to get away and relax near a beautiful rainforest. The park is the ideal weekend getaway for some green therapy after the pressures of Jakarta. While the somewhat difficult and slippery walk-in access will deter some potential visitors, for others, it's all part of the fun and a chance to get a little exercise before relaxing. The potential to build a strong weekend visitorship of Javanese and expatriates living in Jakarta is very good.

The second area of success is the financial benefits being received by the enterprise members -- community members who are involved. Yes, we are particularly pleased to be able to tell you that each enterprise member, from all three sites, has received a financial benefit from the enterprise activities. This has helped to encourage them all, especially as in the beginning the guests were a little slow in coming.

The third area of success is the learning and exchange going on with projects undertaking similar or related projects. There have been four other Indonesian projects who, it would seem, have thought highly enough of our project to visit it, and to do comparative studies. They are:

1. Siberut Project, West Sumatra.
   
2. WWF Project, Ujung Kulon, West Java.
   
3. YES (Sumatra Ecotourism Foundation) Project, North Sumatra.
   
4. Pact Indonesia Project, North Sumatra.

Challenges

Like similar projects, the challenges we face are many. We have chosen four to share with you. The first is discussed here with the hope that others may learn from it.

In the southern site we have a mixed community of traditional Kasepuhan and Sundanese (non-Kasepuhan). The Kasepuhan are steeped in strong traditions and beliefs, going back some six hundred years or more, and are of a more formal character. The non-Kasepuhan, on the other hand, have different traditions and beliefs and are of a less formal character. The enterprise members are a mix from the two groups who find it difficult to agree about even the simplest of tasks. As you can imagine, trying to maintain a little harmony is difficult to say the least. The challenge is easy to see but it its often difficult to conceive a solution, without one or the other being disappointed. A world wide, age old story!

The latter challenge deals directly with the enterprise in the southern site. The following challenges are far more damaging both directly to the project and to the conservation of Gunung Halimun National Park as a whole.

For many years it has been impossible to obtain any up-to-date maps of GHNP or to receive a permit to undertake any form of mapping. In 1992 the latest maps that could be found were produced in the 1960's. That's because the military wanted to keep it this way because they have historically carried out military activities and training in the Park. As this project got underway all military activities in the Park had supposedly, officially stopped. Unfortunately this has not been the case. On a number of occasions a large number of military personnel have been seen in the Park!

The next challenge, and one of the most damaging and the most difficult to meet is that concessions are granted, it would seem, 'willy-nilly' to anyone for anything. The latest is a concession given to the Nirmala Agung Tea Company to clear 50 hectares of primary forest, right in the middle of the park. This land has now been slashed and burned. There are many stories of other concessions (of varying kinds), the validity of which is unclear at the moment. These bites out of the forest are adding up, until there may be little left.

Equally damaging and perhaps the biggest challenge of all because there is so much money involved, will be gold mining, both legal and illegal. So long as the price of gold remains high this pressure will not likely go away. Sadly Gunung Halimun National Park is reasonably well endowed with this precious metal and prospecting is relentless.

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