An Integration of Community Empowerment and Biodiversity Conservation Program through Social-Ecology Approach in Indonesia (Study Case: Kokolomboi Hamlet)

Abstract

The endangered Peleng Tarsier primate species and the critically endangered Banggai Crow species live and breed in Kokolomboi Hamlet. However, for such a long time, natives hunt wild animals for food and for commercial interest. Land conversion and forest fires that become normal method for beekeeping and farming have resulted in a progressive loss of wooded area and degraded land. To address this, a community empowerment program with the integration of socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-ecological approach has been designed as a method to achieve sustainable exploitation and management of the forest area through honeybee production with apiculture as backbone. The objective of this community empowerment program is to make people of Kokolomboi Hamlet voluntarily conserve nature by developing conservation village while assuring their primary needs are met by the economic empowerment using environmentally friendly beekeeping method and eco-tourism activities. From year 2020 to 2023, this socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-ecological integration approach has empowered 30 members of Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), 11 beekeeping groups with 245 members, 30 households participated in environmental preservation, 60 foreign tourists have visited Kokolomboi Biodiversity Park, and flora biodiversity index monitored is 4.51 while fauna biodiversity index monitored is 3.75. The method of integrating social, economy, and ecological aspect as an approach along with engaging relevant stakeholders show significant impacts on transforming community’s behavior in livelihood and biodiversity conservation.