Several villages in Pati Regency, Central Java, have many attractive tourist destinations, including Bakaran Wetan Village, Dukutalit Village, and Kedung Pancing Village.
Bakaran Wetan Village boasts cultural tourist attractions such as the Nyai Ageng Sabirah shrine, the Ki Dalang Soponyono site, and the Sudewi batik museum.
In Dukutalit Village, the strengths and potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) range from smoked milkfish to being a center for brass crafts. Meanwhile, in Kedung Pancing, there is Silugonggo River trekking, which tourists can enjoy.
This was stated by Najla Aliyah, one of the UGM students taking the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) in Pati, when receiving a visit from the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, and a team of UGM Senate members in the regency, Tuesday (8/8).
Aliyah explained that the tourism potential in these three villages could be a significant opportunity for each community to improve their economy.
According to her, one of the programs carried out by KKN students is to create a tourism map and optimize the community’s awareness of tourism while also developing culinary products from smoked milkfish and batik handicrafts.
“We aim to create main job opportunities in the informal sector for local people, especially women,” she said.
In Kedung Pancing Village, Ahmad Taqiyudin, another member of the Pati unit, mentioned that students created a map of flood-prone areas in the hopes that necessary information related to flood disasters would be accessible to the community.
“Kedung Pancing Village is affected by flooding yearly,” he said.
In support of disaster mitigation, students also procured and installed evacuation route signs and assembly points to facilitate the community in finding the fastest route to evacuation houses during floods.
The Head of Bakaran Wetan Village, Wahyu Supriyo, expressed his appreciation for the students’ activities promoting the community’s economy through developing tourist villages, empowering MSMEs, and disaster mitigation.
“On behalf of the village administration, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to UGM students for greatly assisting our village activities,” he stated.
On a separate occasion, the Head of the Pati Regency Development Planning Agency, Dr. Muhtar, stated that the Pati Regency government also appreciates the attention given by UGM and their choice of Pati as the location for the Community Service Program, particularly in Juwana and Tambakromo Districts.
“These two districts have different characteristics, with Juwana being a center for fisheries and brass development, while Tambakromo focuses on agriculture with various challenges,” he explained.
Dr. Muhtar noted that Tambakromo District often experiences flooding due to river overflow and flash floods. Therefore, he hopes that UGM can provide solutions to address these issues.
“The presence of UGM students can help solve problems and optimize the existing resources and potential in Pati,” he emphasized.
Author: Gusti Grehenson