Proposal for Development of Tunak Recreation Forest

As has been designed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Natural Recreation Park of Tunak will be developed by implementing the concept of Community Based Eco-Tourism.  . Community-based ecotourism is a form of ecotourism that emphasizes the development of local communities and allows for local residents to have substantial control over, and involvement in, its development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community. It means that the local community will be highly involved in the operation of the Eco-Tourism activities. The concept would empower the local people to be more aware of the value of their community assets – their culture, heritage, cuisine and lifestyle.  The local peoples will be a potential business partner to be trained in small business management, environmental awareness, product development and marketing. This type of ‘people-centered’ tourism will promote a sense of ‘ownership’ which augurs well for the sustainability of the eco-tourism.

Identity, which is highlighting the unique aspects of the locality and also Root and Custom, which is highlighting local cultural practices are part of the principles for community-based tourism principles.  Tunak has an Identity, that is butterfly.  In some parts of Tunak Natural Recreation Forest there are some spots that have lot of butterfly.  Tunak has also a Root and Custom attraction, called Bau Nyale, it is a tradition of the local people where people will gather along the beach to look for Nyale, a kind of marine worms. Anybody who eats Nyale, believed to have good luck in his life.  Local people of Mertak village near  Tunak has also a tradition of Buffalo Blessing ceremony carried out every year after the event of Bau Nyale.  Hundreds of buffalos will be brought to a place at Tunak area to be blessed.

For the empowerment of the local peoples at Tunak, Dr. Widada, the Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency at Mataram, who is responsible for managing Tunak area has proposed training programs for the local community.  Three different training programs has been proposed, first is Tour Guide training, second training is training on handicraft-making and the third is training on butterfly breeding and butterfly craft-making.  These three training programs have been proposed to Korea-Indonesia Forest Center (KIFC) and have been discussed at KIFC office on 30 April 2015.  All the three proposals will be forwarded to the Korea Forest Service to have comments and approval.