UGM Community Service Program (KKN) Promotes Tourism Potential of Wonosadi Forest through Photograph Expo

 

The long lasting condition of the Wonosadi Forest at Beji Village , Ngawen Subdistrict, Gunung Kidul Regency in Yogyakarta has drawn the attention of the KKN PPM UGM. The preserved forest keeps several collections of old vegetations. At the top of Ngenuman in the middle of the forest, we can find the four hundred years old Munggur tree (Javanese Tamarind).

 Not only big trees, but also many kinds of Orchids and others trees can also be found here. The preserved forest has given special benefits to the surrounding society. They hardly suffer from the lack of water as the other societies in Gunung Kidul when the dry season comes. The water from Wonosadi forest is even distributed through pipes to the houses.

 According to Tengku Rasdisyah, the coordinator of KKN PPM UGM at the unit, the location of the Wonosadi forest on the hill actually offers very good landscape. The area, which has myths, has many existing traditional arts such as gumbeng (musical instrument from bamboo).

 Related to the KKN at the village, Tengku explained that many things could be done. One of them is the Wonosadi development for ESD-based (Education for Sustainable Development) village in managing Biodiversity. As the final result, KKN team held a Photograph Expo entitled "Pesona Wisata Desa Wisata dan Hutan Wonosadi" (Tourism Enchantment of Tourism Village and Wonosadi Forest ). The expo displayed 22 photos from 21 to 23 August 2009 at Djendelo Café, second floor of Togamas Bookstore Gejayan, Yogyakarta .

 Swasti Triana C., coordinator of the event said the displayed photos for instance; the tree smoke entitled “Mystery at Ngenuman”, the photo of society ritual at Wonosadi, and photo of several handicrafts of Wonosadi’s people. Besides to promote the potential of Wonosadi forest and local people, Swasti said that this expo was hoped to become an example of local wisdom which is able to preserve forests for hundreds years.

“Besides, many home and middle scale industries in Wonosadi can become an attraction, such as Coconut tree pot craft. This pot produced by Mr. Sugimo from the Duren Village looks very amazing and attractive,” she ended.