Sustainable “Gumuk” Land Management Based on Local Wisdom in Jember, Indonesia

Abstract

Culture or local wisdom is very important for environmental sustainability in areas such as Jember, where the ecological potential is that there are many “Gumuk” fields that used to stand strong but are now starting to be eroded or exploited by local and foreign communities. This research aims to analyze the role of local wisdom in preserving “Gumuk” in Kaliwates District, Jember Regency, and develop a concept for local wisdom-based community education for “Gumuk” conservation in Jember. This research was carried out using phenomenological methods and descriptive analysis, and then the Likert scale became the data analysis technique used in this research. This research shows that local wisdom is valuable and benefits people’s lives. Local wisdom is part of life’s way of solving all life’s problems. There needs to be a role for local wisdom of the community to maintain and preserve existing “Gumuk” so that they are not continuously exploited following the increasing needs of the community. Applying local wisdom in keeping “Gumuk” is the government’s basis for creating conservation policies. Community-based education is a mechanism that provides opportunities for everyone in society to enrich knowledge and technology through lifelong learning.