A Bonus From Conservation: Post-Struggle of Fajar Bengawan to Protect 200 m of Brantas River Body in Kesamben Blitar
Dewa Gede Raka Wiadnya*, Sukandar, Ating Yuniarti, Agung Pramana Warih Mahendra, Citra Satrya Utama Dewi, Choirul Anam, Anik Martinah Hariati
*Ichthyo-fauna, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Brawijaya
Abstract
Local fishermen realized the collapse of River Barb was due to their destructive fishing behavior such as tuba, cyanide, blast and electro-fishing. A volunteer of 30 fishers took initiative to stop all the destructive activities and declared a 200 m of river body forbidden from any extractive activities. For a period of more than 2 years (2016-2017), they fed the river with rice leftover from the households. Fish population is now recovering back and this gradually attract local tourism. This study aimed to empower the group, Fajar Bengawan, to develop tourism service while conserving the river and used it as learning site for other groups in the region. Four Gazebos, visitor information service, kitchen set and facilities for night fishing were delivered to the group, as well as short training to improve their capacity in eco-tourism management. Four tourism attractions have been established by early 2019: fish feeding in nature, river adventure, meeting outbond, and night-pole fishing. On average, the group earned IDR. 81,000,000±5,000,000 month-1 (equal to $ 5,343351 month-1) from visitors. With tourism branding of Omah Iwak Badher Bang, literally means fish apartment of River Bard (www.google.co.id), the destination is getting open to public. Government of East Java awarded first medal to the group as conservation frontliner. The conservation success is to be outreached to other 397 similar groups in East Java through fisheries community meeting called “cangkru-an”.
Keywords: river protected area, community development, tourism, East Java
Topic: Sosical Economic and Community Development