Amid the rapid pace of deforestation caused by oil palm plantation expansion, illegal logging, and land conversion, conservation has become one of the key strategies to preserve forests, safeguard natural resources, and protect biodiversity. However, forest conservation programs should not rely solely on modern technology and innovation but also incorporate local wisdom, especially from indigenous communities that have long maintained traditions of ecological balance.
Putu Ardana, a traditional leader from Tamblingan Village, Bali, stated that the most effective conservation efforts often come from practices long observed by indigenous communities.
According to him, indigenous peoples are inseparable from their natural landscapes.
“The interaction between community and environment is governed by a social system, forming an eco-socio-system,” explained Ardana during the seminar “Weaving Traditional and Modern Knowledge for Sustainable Conservation in Achieving IBSAP 2025–2045 Targets” held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Forestry UGM), Thursday (Sep. 11).
Widely known as Kaweng, he gave an example of how traditional rituals also serve as ecological censuses. In one Tamblingan ritual, for instance, certain forest plants are required.
“If the plants are not found, the ritual cannot proceed, so we must plant them. What is now known as conservation, we have long called ritual,” said the former UGM student and activist.
The seminar, organized as part of the 62nd Anniversary of Forestry UGM, also featured other speakers, including Director of Conservation Areas, Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Sapto Aji Prabowo; Director of Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Inge Retnowati; Program Manager of the Working Group ICCAs Indonesia (WGII), Cindy Juliaty; Lecturer of Sociology and Anthropology Education at Universitas Sebelas Maret, Dr. Nurhadi; and Lecturer of Forestry UGM, Dr. Dwiko Budi Permadi.
Director Sapto Prabowo emphasized that current forest conservation requires a collaborative and integrative approach with support from stakeholders, particularly universities, the business sector, local governments, NGOs, the media, development partners, and the wider community.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dwiko Budi Permadi highlighted the crucial role of universities as drivers of innovation and technology, advocacy partners, and agents of regeneration.
He noted that universities can bridge the gap between scientific and local knowledge.
“It is not merely a transfer of knowledge from scientists to society, but rather an exchange, integration, and co-creation of new knowledge that unites both, producing relevant and sustainable solutions,” he explained.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Firsto Adi