Rafting, Honey, and Butterflies in the Rain Forest
of Sulawesi, Indonesia
|
|
Rafting, Honey, and Butterflies in the Rain Forest of Sulawesi, Indonesia |
by The Nature Conservancy
Partners: The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Lore Lindu National Park (PHPA)
CARE - Indonesia
University of GuelphCurrent Accomplishments
In the Butterfly Enterprise take up of technology has been remarkably fast -- eleven farmers are now actively breeding four species of butterfly. Although initially interest is shown by male members of the family, it is often women who take over the main role in rearing larvae. Numbers are only limited by lack of a market -- due to difficulties in processing permits, only one export shipment has been made, and membership is being limited until this problem is resolved.
In contrast, the Honey Enterprise is attracting a lot of interest in villages, particularly in Kamarora and Rahmat where there is great interest in bee-keeping. There is good local demand for honey, especially if it is guaranteed pure and fresh. Initial approaches to honey-hunters in the Napu Valley have been moderately successful and will be built on in the near future. A socioeconomic and ecological survey has been carried out in the Park and four adjacent villages. One of the hive bees utilized has been recognized as a new species, Apis nigrocincta (Susilowati and Otis, in press).
Rafting Enterprise development continues with the training of two local guides in rafting, and in English language. A local company (PT Toranggo Buya Wisatirta) has been established to hold relevant provincial permits, which have been granted. Owing to logistical problems, there have been no rafting trips to date, but two are planned before the year's end.
Successes and Challenges "OK...So What?"
|
|
WHY BIODIVERSITY FIELD STORIES PARTICIPATE RESULTS MARKETSPACE ABOUT THE NETWORK WHAT'S NEW LEARNING MATERIALS SEARCH LINKS SITE MAP HOME |
