Efforts to Harmonize Conservation Area Sustainability and Community Economic Development in Bone Bolango District
Bone Bolango District, located in Gorontalo Province, is a conservation area that is part of the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (TNBW). It possesses significant potential with its rich natural resources, including forestry, marine, and agricultural sectors. Currently, the primary crop is corn, which is cultivated as a monoculture, posing risks of flooding and land degradation.
To effectively manage its vast resources and protect the largest conservation area in Sulawesi, the Bone Bolango government seeks more partners for multi-stakeholder collaboration in safeguarding vital ecosystems. Currently, the Natural Resource Management Advocacy Network (JAPESDA) has been actively working for the past two years in Ilomata Village, Bulango Ulu District, which borders the National Park. One of its contributions includes participating in the Smart Patrol team, composed of Ilomata villagers, the Bolango Resort Forest Protection Unit, and the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park office, aimed at wildlife monitoring.
The results of this monitoring are processed and analyzed before being shared with the National Park, while the village community and local government discuss them in feedback sessions. Although these findings have not been published publicly, they are communicated to the National Park office, the village government, the county government, and the community through infographics. Additionally, JAPESDA actively educates farmers in Ilomata Village about agroforestry concepts to address land clearing and conversion issues while supporting food security.
From the planning and policy perspective, the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Bone Bolango District has incorporated sustainability issues into its policies over four periods of the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (RPJMD). Currently, they are developing a technocratic RPJM that will inform the Annual Work Plan (RKPP) for 2025, integrating ecosystem sustainability, disaster management policies, and environmental areas. The provincial government has also planned the establishment of a geopark to enhance conservation and tourism.
Bagus Tri Nugroho, Head of the Forest Management Unit I at the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (TNBNW), stated that regarding the utilization of conservation areas in Bone Bolango, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has opened access for local communities to manage and benefit from environmental services, such as water and tourism services. “We are providing access for water use permits and encouraging local communities and village governments to explore and develop these areas together with the National Park for ecotourism,” said Bagus.
This opportunity has been met by the Bone Bolango government, which is promoting ecotourism development in collaboration with the National Park authority. The government is committed to integrating the utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (HHBK), such as sugar palm, honey, resin, and sap, into its planning and policies. The National Park has also opened management opportunities in traditional zones, allowing communities to utilize sugar palm resources within the conservation area.
In terms of investment and innovation, Bone Bolango District has yet to produce a significant range of commodities. The potential of the sugar palm is currently being developed into liquid sap and sugar candies, which are still undergoing quality and packaging trials with support from JAPESDA. JAPESDA trains farmers in agroforestry models and provides training for women and other groups to manage sugar palm, durian, and jackfruit for greater economic value.
Nurain Lapolo, Director of JAPESDA Gorontalo, stated that their support program encourages communities to preserve water source areas to ensure they can be passed down to future generations without damaging conservation zones. “We hope these best practices can be replicated in other regions, with broader coverage in Bone Bolango District and Gorontalo Province. The government has already committed to integrating this into planning and policy,” said Nurain.
Another potential commodity is Liberica coffee, which is exclusive to only five locations in Indonesia. The trees have historical significance as remnants of the Dutch colonial period within the national park. While these trees are no longer productive, they can be cultivated for seedlings to be planted in community gardens outside the conservation area. This initiative began about 3-4 years ago, with coffee plants just starting to bear fruit.
JAPESDA also trains villagers bordering the National Park to conduct smart patrols, monitoring the area by documenting findings related to biodiversity threats and potential. The National Park is home to endemic species that require protection, such as the babirusa, which faces threats from snares set by local residents. “They are educated not to harm wildlife and are involved in participatory patrols. We hope the village can support this by providing personal protective equipment for these activities,” added Nurain.
For monitoring and reporting, the Bone Bolango District government has established a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) forum and created its own public data portal, which is connected to the SDI. The process of collecting statistical data for the district has been implemented using the SDI framework. Currently, the Communication and Information Agency (Diskominfo) is enhancing human resource capacity for spatial data collection and processing, with support from external partners such as universities and private corporations.
Bone Bolango District has received Regional Incentive Funds (DID) from the central government, as well as Special Infrastructure Allocation Funds (DIF). The private sector also provides support through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives from several companies operating in Bone Bolango District.
