Waterfall exploration in banyumas regency based on Ecotourism Environmental Protection (EEP) approach for water conservation

Abstract

Serayu watershed, the largest watershed in Central Java Province of Indonesia, have various condition in the catchment area. Drawback of environmental services occurred in Banjarnegara, Wonosobo and Purbalingga regency due to intensive agriculture activities in the catchment area. However, suitable protected catchment area performed in Banyumas regency as part of Serayu watershed. Nature landscape and water quality (e.g., river and spring) are potential for tourism and domestic water resource. Nowadays, population growth and economical reason may threaten environmental services especially in catchment area. The research aim to identify waterfall potential as ecotourism development in Banyumas regency. Ecotourism Environmental Protection (EEP) approach already implemented in Asian mainland and appropriate tool for describing environmental protect measurement and its effect. EEP modified variables with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis were applied with focusing on water resource and conservation especially on waterfall ecotourism development. Identification of waterfall and survey of local communities, natural community, and government were conducted. We explore 109-waterfall in 17 districts of Banyumas regency with less than 20% manage by local or regional government. Third sector intervention (such local- or regional government and private sector) is indispensable for improving waterfall value as ecotourism attraction. In attractive waterfall destination, local people including local organisation receive economic benefit and might improve their welfare. Ecotourism of waterfall in Banyumas regency is promising strategy for water conservation in catchment area.