Creating a Bird-Friendly Village: Unud Biology Promotes Pentahelix Approach in Tingkih Kerep Traditional Village

• By Admin
• Kamis, 5 September 2024

PENEBEL, TABANAN – Following up on the habitat assessment conducted earlier this year, the Center of Excellence in Ornithological Research (PUP Ornitologi), the Frank Williams Bird Statue Museum, and the Biology Study Program of FMIPA Udayana University held a strategic Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Hosted in Tengkudak Village, Penebel, the FGD focused on the theme "Pentahelix Approach in Creating a Bird-Friendly Village."

This event serves as an ongoing mentoring program for the Tingkih Kerep Traditional Village community as they prepare to become a sanctuary for the iconic Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). The event was officially opened by the Head of Penebel Sub-district (Camat), with introductory remarks from the Head of Tengkudak Village, both affirming the local government's full support for this conservation initiative.

Led by Prof. Dra. Luh Putu Eswaryanti Kusuma Yuni, M.Sc., Ph.D. as the organizing chair, the FGD brought together cross-sectoral speakers to provide a comprehensive perspective. The discussion was expertly moderated by Prof. Dr. I Ketut Ginantra, S.Pd., M.Si. The first speaker, drh. I Made Sugiarta from Friends of Nature, People, and Forest (FNPF), shared the extensive track record of Bali Starling releases across various locations in Bali. This was followed by an ecological analysis from I Made Saka Wijaya, S.Si., M.Sc., who highlighted the potential of plant communities in Tingkih Kerep Traditional Village to support the survival of the Bali Starling, based on previous study results.

The highlight of the discussion featured best practices in managing bird-friendly villages, presented by Asman Adi Purwanto (BISA Indonesia Foundation) and Suparno (KPH Wanapaksi Yogyakarta). They shared success stories on how communities in Yogyakarta have harmonized bird protection with rural economic and social activities.

The Power of Pentahelix Collaboration The event was attended by over 100 participants, representing all components of the Pentahelix model: Government (Camat and Village Head), Academia (Udayana University), NGOs (FNPF, BISA Indonesia), Society (Tingkih Kerep Traditional Village), and the Media. "Conservation cannot be achieved by academics or the government alone. Through this Pentahelix approach, we are building a collaborative ecosystem where every party plays an active role in protecting the Bali Starling and its habitat," said Prof. Yuni in her remarks. This FGD is expected to foster mutual understanding and a strong commitment from all community elements to establish Tingkih Kerep Traditional Village as a sustainable model for a "Bird-Friendly Village" in Tabanan Regency.