FIELD METHODS FOR CONSERVATION AND POLICY-MAKING VIEW FROM THE BANGGAI IS., SULAWESI, INDONESIA outline • Research … Outreach • knowledge-based policy making • warning: highly local • small islands, decentralized, endemism Togean Is. (to the north) Eastern peninsula, Sulawesi Banggai Is. (to the south) Peleng I, of the Banggai Is. Notes: •Dark green = primary forests •Lighter green= secondary forests Species Global conservation Local status c status b Pearl Oyesters, including Pinctada margaritifera Commercially threatened Present Giant clams, including Tridacna gigas Vulnerable Common in 1991 Coconut crab Birgos latro Data deficient Relatively common in 1991 * Banggai Cardinalfish Pteropogon kauderni --- Relatively common At least two species of chelonid turtles, Endangered Present Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricate o Sula Megapode Megapodius bernsteinii Near threatened Common but declining Bald-faced Rail Gymnocrex rosenbergii Vulnerable Present o Slaty Cuckoo-shrike Coracina schistacea --- Present Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica Near threatened Present # Banggai Crow Corvus unicolor Critically Endangered Restricted to western half of Peleng I. o Helmeted Myna Basilornis galeatus Near threatened Common o Henna-tailed Jungle Flycatcher Rhynomias Near threatened Present colonus Red-backed Thrush Zoothera mendeni Proposed to be ‘Near Unknown threatened’ # Peleng Island Cuscus Strigocuscus --- Relatively common pelingensis # Sulawesi tarsier Tarsius spectrum pelingensis --- Common Dugong Dugon dugon Vulnerable Present rich in marine biodiversity Photo: A. Vagelli Includes a mouth brooding endemic species, Pterapogon kauderni a.k.a. the Banggai Cardinal Fish Fishes from the forests …. Critically endangered Banggai Crow • Discovered (109 years ago), – never seen alive by ornithologists hitherto • 1991 – archipelago-wide searches, a small brownish crow, in moss forest, at c. 600 – 700 m a.s.l. , quite wild • Confirmed (2004,’06,’07, ‘08) Photo: F. Masala – the island’s western par only – primarily, a forest bird, lower montane to sub-alpine – on the altitudinal range of 500 – 900 m.a.s.l. – only in 3 sub-districts (Buko, Bulagi, Liang) – specimens, photos, and sound recording for sonograph analysis • A true point endemic – Re-characterization: good species Leap of faith of the unconverted Drawing Agus Prijono GOAL { Developing local capacities { z communities and government z conservation and sustainable development Photo: Frangky Masala ObjectivesObjectives Community conserved areas – Especially sacred places in the forests sacresacredd places = ‘old religion’ Conservation, in exchange for agricultural iimprovementmprovement – improved livelihoods assistance – the study tours were paid for by the “Kuyak” Banggai Crow’ District spatial planning Culture Photos: Frangky Masala a crucial ancillary that should be considered for conservation and sustainable development. Culture of nature (Lowe 1999) people: physical, socio-cultural landscapes and seascapes ‘nature’ becoming artifact of culture Approaches • ‘science’; indigenous knowledge • Anthropology: participants’ observations, FGDs, SsI • Trade off – Agricultural technical assistance (training, from farmer to farmer) • to alleviate shifting cultivation – Shared learning: Ecotourism study tour to Tangkoko, ‘vertebrates are not mere fishes from the forests’ – Hooking up district governments with more advanced district governments and int’l development agencies • Engaging the district government – enabling policies ActivitiesActivities PublicPublic discussionsdiscussions inin thethe villagesvillages StudyStudy tourtour – Creating the demand – of what might have been Ecotourism vs. bushmeat Sustainable agriculture vs. Shifting cultivation ActivitiesActivities EngagingEngaging withwith thethe districtdistrict governmentgovernment ––SpatialSpatial plansplans ––CommunityCommunity protectedprotected areasareas EngagingEngaging withwith thethe centralcentral (and(and provincial)provincial) government(sgovernment(s)) MediaMedia pressurepressure TheThe initialinitial roadroad show:show: PublicPublic discussionsdiscussions inin situsitu over four different forested villages More than 200 people were talked to religious networks (suspended impacts) continuing the campaign, through the years suspended impacts locally devised conservation slogans “sodiyo tomisi Kuyak na madaang doi togong Peleng” (let the Kuyak be abundant in Peleng). Photos: Simson Katiandag EcotourismEcotourism StudyStudy TourTour ((TangkokoTangkoko)) Ecotourists in Tangkoko Nature Reserve Photos: Frangky Masala Direct observations interactions Study tour: Discussions Photo: Frangky Masala studystudy tour:tour: whatwhat thethe islandersislanders saysay “… as if the tarsiers were holding festivities, and humans came endlessly from all over the world to attend the festival…” Mrs. Dorkas See, the Head of Village of Alul Photo: Frangky Masala “… it is amazing that an animal as small as tarsiers could elicite so much flow of (tourism) dollars…”. Mr. Un Madus, farmer and hunter, Tetendeng village studystudy tour:tour: whatwhat thethe islandersislanders saysay • “… even if the (Tangkoko) guides lacked formal education, they can learn foreign languages (especially English) and lead the visitor groups …‘ Mr. Labi Mopook, farmer, Ginggiok sub-village “…(Mr. Henry Palamia, local elder) taught us how to fight for the good of environment, for the common people, and not merely expecting outside assistance.. ” Mr. Reverend Ayub Maleso, Head of village legislature, Tetendeng village StudyStudy tourtour Photos: Frangky Masala focused group discussion (FGD) on the economic benefits of conservation, featuring • a local ecotourism leader, • an international primate researcher, • and one int’ television programme BorderlessBorderless learninglearning farmers and hunters presenting local perspectives in university discussion Photo: Frangky Masala the spirit of enterprise: formal institutions are not the only sources of knowledge; forest dwellers are also sources of wisdom and knowledge AgriculturalAgricultural studystudy tourtour ((TomohonTomohon),), northnorth SulawesiSulawesi Farmer to farmer: Learning from the local practicians in collaboration with Yayasan Masarang Foundation Photo: Frangky Masala Tomohon Association of Sugar Palm Growers AgriculturalAgricultural studystudy tourtour ((TomohonTomohon)) For the first time, the islanders learn about •‘bedeng’ (terracering) • fertilizing the soils •diversification and management of crops •in lieu with seasonality, maintaining productivity of soils •marketing and pricing •cooperatives, and the organization of farmers Photo: Frangky Masala NonNon--woodwood forestforest productsproducts International citizens are likely to purchase handicrafts from the Banggai Islands. Practically no islanders have ever seen nor hold a US Dollar currency before Photos: Frangky Masala Non-wood forest products, marketing Heliconia and other pot-plants already found an international market in Europe BioprospectingBioprospecting opportunitiesopportunities Photos: Frangky Masala applying the pressure NationalNational MediaMedia campaigncampaign rediscovery of Banggai Crow applying the pressure LocalLocal MediaMedia campaigncampaign agriculturalagricultural studystudy tourtour ‘C. Sulawesi farmers trained ‘Banggai Islands farmers in Tomohon ‘ trained in Tomohon’ Engaging district government report to the Regent • ten-page letter, cc 9 representations of government agencies and community members, in Bahasa Indonesia response from the district government • dated 25 July 2007; number: 500/02.15/ Bag. Ekon/ 2007, • signed by the District Assistant of Economics and Development • acknowledging the importance of environment development and ecotourism request for assistance from the district government • dated 31 Jan. 2008; number 500/3583/Bag. Ekon/2007, • signed by the Vice-Regent • to seek structural model for establishment of District Environmental Agency Engaging the provincial government from this study report, the Head of Provincial Conservation Agency, 10 December 1998, issued a circular (367/BKSDA VI-1/1998), outlining proposals to protect endemic fauna in Central Sulawesi especially those in Banggai and Togean Is. In 2004, Togean was declared a national park meetings with the Head of Provincial Conservation Agency (18 July and 13 August 2007); agreements need to create demand and process for establishment of nature reserves in Banggai Islands multiple stakeholder meetings are needed collaborations should aim to establish district spatial plans (currently non-existent), and within the district spatial plans community conserved areas can be established through bottom-up procceses Lessons learned 1.a change, biodiversity conservation in the eye of the local people 2.need assessment: Photo: Frangky Masala minimize assumptions 3.Direct compensations, beyond do no harm (agriculture vs. conservation) Conservation does not stand alone – trade off – from conservation to sustainable development – research to negotiation – field to policy Conclusions •Local government support • especially progressive minds … islands of integrity -Bottom up planning is possible -Species mainstreamed into development -Caveat: for conservation, years of investment A long way ahead VeryVery manymany thanksthanks Bundesamt für Naturschutz The people, village and district government of the Banggai Islands British Birds Nagao NEF Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense YABSHI – Yayasan Bina Sains Hayati Indonesia ZGAP Zoological