Berau – From November 14th to 17th, 2023, the USAID Indonesia delegation conducted a field visit with the Directorate of Bilateral Funding and the Directorate of Forestry and Water Resources Conservation (KKSDA) of the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) to Berau District, East Kalimantan Province. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the location of USAID's Sustainable Environmental Governance Across Regions (SEGAR) activities.

Prior to visiting the field, the USAID Indonesia and Bappenas delegation convened with the Head of the Berau District Research and Development Planning Agency (Bapelitbang), Endah Ernany Triariani. They discussed the progress of the USAID SEGAR initiative in Berau. This field visit also served as a monitoring effort for members of the Technical Team for the Sustainable Terrestrial Ecosystem Management (STEM) program, a collaborative endeavor between USAID Indonesia and Bappenas, which includes activities conducted through USAID SEGAR.

USAID SEGAR, through a grant to the Indonesian Menapak Association, is supporting community-based conservation and sustainable livelihood efforts in Berau. Specifically, this support involves enhancing village forest management in Biatan Ulu Village and mangrove management in Tembudan Village. The primary activities encompass sustainable livelihood surveys, the formulation of conservation action plans, and the development of sustainable business plans to bolster livelihoods in tandem with effective environmental conservation endeavors. These two villages possess abundant resources that can be utilized as business units and sources of livelihood by the local community.

In Biatan Ulu Village, a study conducted by USAID SEGAR identified stingless bee (kelulut) honey as the leading commodity. Kelulut honey, derived from a species of stingless bee (Trigona sp.), represents a new commodity introduced in village forests by the Regional Service Technical Implementation Unit - Production Forest Management Unit (UPTD KPHP) Berau Pantai. Its introduction stemmed from its relevance to prominent regional programs, persistent market demand, and alignment with robust conservation criteria. Presently, around 80 honey stocks are managed by the Biatan Ulu Village Honey Social Forestry Business Unit (KUPS) Group. On average, a bottle of Kelulut honey yields between 300 ml to 500 ml per month, depending on the flower season. Typically, it is packaged in 100 ml bottles and sold for approximately IDR 45,000-50,000 per bottle. However, Kelulut honey production has yet to meet the local market demand, presenting an intriguing opportunity for further development.

The Interconnection between Kelulut Honey Commodities and Conservation

Cultivating stingless bees (meliponiculture) serves as an effective solution for forest conservation while offering economic and ecological benefits. Bees, as the primary commodity, act as pollinators, enabling the fertilization of seeds in flowers and contributing to the preservation of vegetation in the surrounding area.

         
Stingless bee or kelulut honey cultivation in Biatan Ulu Village, Berau District. Photo: USAID SEGAR

In Tembudan Village, the existing potential is marked by mangrove and the Tulung Ni' Lenggo (blue lake) tourist attractions, managed by BUMKam Tembudan. An assessment of potential sustainable livelihoods in Tembudan Village identified the ecoprint mangrove batik as the most valuable commodity in terms of income generation, conservation, and community involvement, particularly among women and young people.

As the name implies, the ecoprint technique involves tracing leaves and then boiling them to create batik patterns. This batik-making process does not involve tools such as canting and wax but utilizes various leaves to produce natural colors. "Essentially, for ecoprints, we use fallen leaves, if possible, collecting them as needed, and ideally replanting them to avoid environmental damage," explained Roby Fierriadi, Menapak Program Officer.

Tembudan Village has begun receiving orders for uniforms from several government agencies in Berau District. However, collaboration with shops/entrepreneurs remains limited. The relatively small number of craftsmen poses a challenge in handling large-scale orders. The mangrove batik craftsmen in Tembudan Village can leverage this opportunity to enhance the community's economy through environmentally friendly textile production.

The Interrelation between Ecoprint Batik Commodities and Conservation

Mangrove batik has evolved into a tradition among women's groups in Tembudan Village, increasingly preserved as tourist visits rise to various attractions in the village. As a village where most residents primarily engage in fishing or gardening for a living, preserving mangroves becomes crucial as they serve as a livelihood source.

A study conducted by USAID SEGAR through Menapak highlighted efforts to develop potential business units in both the Biatan Ulu Village Forest Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) and the Tembudan Village Eco Print Batik Group. These efforts encompass training to enhance business management skills, optimization of existing business units based on local natural resources, establishing collaborative relationships with entrepreneurs for product sales, and liaising with local governments to develop funding strategies, facilitate production equipment, marketing, and more. 

   
Exploring the mangrove ecosystem in Tembudan Village, Berau District. Photo: USAID SEGAR