A group of UGM students has created an interactive book equipped with a virtual influencer to instill empathy in early childhood towards the threat of extinction facing endemic wildlife.
The book Rimbakara was created by the UGM Student Creativity Program team in Entrepreneurship.
The team consisted of five members: Tabitha Andrea Putri (Veterinary Medicine), Muhammad Farel Fafifawwas (Engineering), Kirana Maharani (Economics and Business), Tiara Tirta Mayangsari (Engineering), and Miftakhul Difa Ma’syar (Economics and Business).
“Unlike regular books, Rimbakara also offers technology in the form of an application that includes interactive games, augmented reality features, and expression cards,” Tabitha Putri explained.
Putri expressed that the book was created out of their concern for the endangered endemic species in Indonesia. Indonesia has a long list of cases involving conflicts with endemic species, often leading to a high risk of extinction.
“This book is expected to enhance children’s understanding and empathy regarding the extinction status and role of endemic animals in ecosystems, thus raising awareness about the need to conserve endemic species to reduce the risk of extinction and preserve the ecosystem,” she elaborated.
Putri explained that the name Rimbakara is derived from two syllables: “Rimba,” which means forest, and “Kara,” which means protector.
The book will feature a hero figure who serves as a virtual influencer embarking on adventures within the story to assist in the conservation of Indonesia’s endemic wildlife. This hero character consists of two child figures, a boy and a girl, named “Kara” and “Una.”
“In the first edition, the interactive book Rimbakara follows their adventures on Natuna Island with the Kekah animal, an endemic species of Natuna Island,” she added.
To expand educational opportunities for children, Putri and her friends are working on collaborations with communities and wildlife conservation organizations, including Mantau Kekah.
Rimbakara is now available on the Shopee marketplace. Furthermore, Rimbakara can also be found on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube under the username @pkmkugm_rimbakara.
Author: Ika
Photo: The UGM Rimbakara Team