VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AT GIAM SIAK KECIL - BUKIT BATU BIOSPHERE RESERVE PEATLAND TOWARDS LIPI CONCEPT OF BIO-VILLAGE

Abstract

Bio-village is a good development concept to accomplish vision - mission of Indonesia’s Long-term (2005-2025) and Medium-term (2010-2014) Development Plan as well as Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) mission, expected to give both short-term and long-term solution in facing area/national issue by developing strategic knowledge. This concept puts human and natural resources as valuable assets used as major capitals to generate the economy of the area.

Meanwhile, exploration of Biosphere Reserve Peatland of Giam Siak Kecil - Bukit Batu (GSK – BB) Riau results in the finding of Meranti Bakau (Shorea uliginosa Foxw.) as a potential resource for bio-ethanol feedstock, giving high yield of ethanol. Therefore, seedling of Meranti Bakau is needed to guarantee enough supply due to its status as an endangered species.

This community empowerment plan toward integrated bio-conservation village concept will be implemented at Temiang Village located in the above biosphere reserve peatland whose peat swamp forest has been damaged even its forest cover has been completely altered. This program will be mainly intended for a community group of conservation forest (KMPH) to take real action by doing activities that have short-term impact to the socio-economic life of the local community (breeding of various local fishes; utilization of Bintangur seed for biodiesel feedstock; and development of forest ecology tourism of peat swamp forest/eco-tourism), and also long-term impact activities (seedling and reintroduction of Meranti Bakau and other rare wood species). This program is expected to strengthen the implementation of Conservation Village Model of Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Ministry of Forestry that fits LIPI Concept of Bio-village in which the area community can maintain and utilize local natural resources continuously while their prosperity increases.