Ministry of Environment and Forestry extended the license for managing Wanagama forest. Therefore, Wanagama is projected to become an Eco Edu Forest (WG-Eco Edu Forest). In order to strengthen the mandatory of WG-Eco Edu Forest, aside from learning the ecology book in Plot 5, the research center of Wanagama also enhanced their educational facilities, one of them is Wanagama Paksi. Wanagama Paksi was established in Plot 16, supported by many parties, including Gunma Safari Park from Japan, Ministry of Living Environment and Forestry, Taman Safari Indonesia, Foundation of Alumni of Faculty of Forestry 1975 namely Toemo Silva Gama Foundation, as well as Gembira Loka Zoo. Symbolically, Wanagama Paksi was officially opened during the Soft Launching of Wanagama Paksi which was held on Sunday (4/2) at Bird Dome Wanagama Paksi.
Wanagama Paksi provides ecotourism which focused on aves education. In Wanagama Paksi, there is a Bird Dome where dozens of birds live as a conserved species. Some of those conserved birds are Bondol Eagle, Cendrawasih, Cockatoo, and other various species. Aside from Bird Dome, there are also buildings for bird exhibition and captive breeding. Besides educating the community regarding aves, Wanagama Paksi also conducted real conservation activities through aves captive breeding which aims to protect their preservation.
Dean of Faculty of Forestry UGM, Dr. Budiadi, S.Hut., M.Agr.Sc. said the establishment of Wanagama Paksi aims to become an education facility for the community as well as research and educational center for students. The success of forest and critical land rehabilitation in Wanagama had supported the biodiversity conservation. There are at least 37 kinds of bird and 10 kinds of animal living in Wanagama. This biodiversity conservation continues to be performed by encouraging Wanagama as the Conservation Learning Center.
Meanwhile, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ir. Wiratno, M.Sc. said Wanagama Paksi can become a facility for conservation education toward the community, thus they will participate in nature conservation and raise new research ideas, particularly regarding aves and its preservation.
“Wanagama Paksi is expected to become a new milestone in spreading the spirit of a massive aves conservation toward the community,” said Wiratno.
Wiratno further said in order to manage Wanagama Paksi effectively, it requires synergy and collaboration by placing the local community as the main actor in various management models and increasing the working network among the management boards, regional government, and other related parties.