Watching Forest Conservation Movie at a Village by the Forest
The fasting month of Ramadhan does not hinder the activists of Protection of Forest and Fauna (PROFAUNA) in providing education programs about forest conservation for the general people. On 18 July 2014, nine activists of PROFAUNA -including 2 volunteers from France- went to Tamandadar village Arjasa district, Situbondo regency, East Java. The village is located within the area of Kayumas coffee plantation, 47 kilometers away from the closest town, and half of the road that we passed through to get there is still dirtroads.
The education program was carried out by setting up a big screen in an open field, so that everybody from the village could watch the film about forest and the Javan Langur conservation. The activity began at 8 p.m. after the people finish the Tarawih prayer. After the movie, there was a lively discussion and quiz, where some people won t-shirts as the prize.
The program led by Swasti Prawidya Mukti (Asti) and Bayu Sandi ran well, despite the technical problems on the electricity and equipments. It was understandable though, because the wire electricity does not run through this village, so the people have to use diesel engine to provide electricity for themselves. During the discussion and quiz, the people were so eager in answering questions given by Asti. "What is the use of forest for human life?" asked Asti. A young man wearing 'sarung' (a cloth wrapped around one's body) confidently answered "To prevent flood and landslide!"
Through the movie we showed, PROFAUNA explained the relationship between forest conservation and the survival of the Javan Langur. "The Javan Langur is an indicator that the forest is still in a good condition, and that the ecosystem is in balance. We can be sure about this because the Javan Langur only eats selected young leaves of the forest plants," added Asti.
The education program at Tamandadar village would be impossible without the generosity of Arif Rahman, a supporter of PROFAUNA for more than 10 year, who works at Kayumas coffee plantation. The man better known as Maman helped us in preparing the activities, and also in engaging with the local people. PROFAUNA would also like to thank the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) for their support to this program.