Forests and Traditions as Anchors of Culture-Based Ecotourism

However, community based tourism, especially indigenous communities, is also under threat. Data from 2022 indicated that the Southeast Asian region has lost around 30% of its total land area due to conversion into agricultural land. As a result, 5,678 species in the region are threatened with extinction, including 25 species already extinct and 1,156 in critically endangered status.

Beyond the loss of lands and species, these changes also directly affect the lives of indigenous peoples, communities that once managed forests with local wisdom. Plants once used as food and medicine are becoming increasingly difficult to find. This situation also affects local crafts and rituals tied to natural resources.

Delving into the Meaning of Dayak Village Traditions Through Nature and Cultural Tourism

Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL), an organization that supports regencies across Indonesia, together with youth communities in West Borneo launched the 'ExploNation' initiative. The campaign aimed to showcase how ecotourism coupled with the right support from the regional government can protect the nature and culture of the region and therefore making an impact on the environmental conservation efforts.

LTKL collaborated with Indonesian creators, Febrian, a travel blogger, and Abex, a storyteller who shares unique experiences from her expeditions, to travel along and empower 14 youth from West Borneo by learning about the local tradition and wisdom surrounding West Borneo. The group travelled to Sintang, a regency in West Borneo, where they stayed in the traditional "Rumah Betang (longhouse) in Ensaid Panjang Village. There, they learned about "Rimba Gupung" (community-managed forests), "Tutur Bedudu" (oral storytelling traditions), and *tenun ikat* (ikat weaving) using natural dyes.

"The culture of the Desa Dayak tribe is deeply connected to nature. This is reflected in the lives of those we met in Sintang. From the temoai dance, a welcoming dance that embodies the philosophy of respect for nature, to the architecture of the Betang Houses, to the natural dye woven motifs inspired by betel leaves or fern shoots in their forests," said Abex.

Cultural tradition to preserve the environment

Abex and Febrian also visited "Rimba Gupung" which serves as a community forest for the Dayak Desa community. It provides food, medicinal plants, clean water sources, and natural dye materials for weaving. Legality wise this forest is protected under Sintang Regent Regulation and its sustainability is safeguarded through communal rules passed down from generation to generation.

During their stay the Dayak Desa community also showcased "Tutur Bedudu" oral tradition that tells stories of origins, values, and cosmology of the Dayak Desa, where nature is honored as the 'mother' of life. Through this, the participants saw how storytelling is a medium for environmental education and cultural transmission.

While at "Rumah Belajar Kain Pantang" (House of Pantang Weaving Learning), women weavers demonstrated how to produce Tenun Ikat (knot weaving) using the natural dye process. This activity not only preserves ancestral knowledge but also generates sustainable livelihoods, especially for women.

"Given the current situation, environmental restoration is an urgent step. Preserving culture and improving community welfare are essential components of a restorative economy based on Indonesia's natural and cultural riches. The various regions of Indonesia I have visited and documented so far have all made me realize the importance of preserving and protecting nature to foster a sustainable economy, for example through the development of ecotourism," said Febrian.

The potential for growth

What has been done in Sintang could potentially grow the tourism sector in West Kalimantan even further. In 2024, there were 8.1 million domestic tourists and 73,000 international tourists visited West Kalimantan, a significant increase of 73.33% compared to the previous year. This of course can be accelerated further with the increase of foreign tourist who wants to come to the region.

The Head of the Youth Division of the Sintang Regency Youth and Sports Office, H. Sumardi, stated, "We fully support initiatives like ExploNation as a collaborative platform between young people and content creators to highlight positive stories in Sintang, particularly about how the community protects its environment through ecotourism. This presents an opportunity to develop culture and nature based tourism, in keeping with the local wisdom of the community, which has been preserved for generations."

In line with the local government's commitment to preserving nature and culture, Abex also felt a sense of urgency after participating in ExploNation, sharing a strong perspective on the importance of communities returning to protecting and nurturing the earth.

"This trip has raised the awareness that 'There's No Planet B.' If our natural environment is destroyed, there will be no place left to stand, as humans absolutely need nature to survive. We can return to nature, utilize its gifts without greed, and begin recovery by teaching the younger generation that nature is both a home and a source of life that must not be lost," said Abex

ExploNation is not just about tourism promotion but also about building awareness that cultural and environmental preservation is a shared responsibility. The hope is that stories from creators and youth will reach wider audiences, encouraging appreciation for local wisdom as a key to resilience in facing global crises.

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