As part of its human resources capacity building efforts, the University of Ottow Geissler Papua, supported by FORCLIME, participated in a recent training session on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping. This activity comprised basic level GIS training through the use of a free, open-source application known as QGIS. The training session was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Affairs at the University of Ottow Geissler Papua, Ir. Simon H. Nenepath, M.Sc. and was held from 17 - 20 October 2022 at the University of Ottow Geissler Papua (UOGP) Campus in Jayapura, Papua Province. The resource personnel for this training session comprised FORCLIME advisors, specifically Remote Sensing/GIS and e-Learning Advisor, Danan P. Hadi, and Junior Advisor for GIS and Mapping, Ruben Yogi.

In general, the training session was organized to improve the knowledge and skill sets of lecturers and students regarding GIS and Mapping so as to support the development of the Center of Excellence for Geographic Information Systems and Mapping at the University of Ottow Geissler Papua (UOGP).

Since 2021 the University of Ottow Geissler Papua and FORCLIME have engaged in mutual synergy to encourage the establishment and development of the Center of Excellence for GIS and Mapping as a GIS service center and university-based mapping facility in Papua Province centered on the UOGP’s Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Affairs. This Center of Excellence is expected to provide geospatial services to academia, local government, communities and the private sector in relation to spatial planning, forest management and biodiversity conservation.

“As a lecturer in Regional Economics, the training materials provided during the session were broadly applicable to map issues that relate to the regional economy,” explained Amsal Ilindamon, S.Sos, M.Sc., Lecturer at the Development Economics Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Ottow Geissler Papua. “Hopefully, FORCLIME will be able to provide more in-depth training relating to the development of human resources through the UOG Papua campus,” he added.

This training session is set to be followed up with a session on advanced Geographic Information System Training.

For more information, please contact:
Danan P. Hadi, Advisor for Remote Sensing/GIS and eLearning
Ruben Yogi, Junior Advisor for GIS and Mapping
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development

Created: 05 November 2022

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