An Enjoyable Work: Environmental Education – A Long Life Hobby, Aim of Life
An Enjoyable Work: Environmental Education – A Long Life Hobby, Aim of Life
The first time I knew Rolex Award for Enterprise was when I was studying to become Veterinarian. I chose a wildlife conservation topic for my research, i.e., the possibilities to hatch the Macrocephalon maleo bird’s eggs ex-situ. I met the leading persons in wildlife of that time (1979/1980); Dr. John Mackinnon and his wife, a wildlife expert as well, Dr. Cathy McKinnon, both experts from WWF International. At that time they were in Bogor, West Java – Indonesia, doing some conservation programmes.
I was lucky to have their support. Dr. Cathy McKinnon wrote a statement and reference letter I needed for doing the research, also to apply the Rolex Award for Enterprise. I did not reach as a Laureate, but since then up to this year, every year I always receive the nice parcel from Rolex: the calendar and the delicious chocolate in box. I always put the calendar next to my bed, feeling the motivation that saying to me to continue what I have begun. And receiving the award in 1990 convinced me that what I was doing was right; it gave me courage to rise above many obstacle and difficulty in the years to come.
It was all started as a hobby – a simple one – going to the country-sides, slopes of the mountains, playing like a Tarzan and a treasure hunter as a child. During long school holidays, my parents would send their children to country-sides. Our uncle and aunt lived in a plantation bordering to a natural tropical rainforest at the East part of East Java – Indonesia. Meeting and seeing animals in the wild, was fascinating. Seeing a giant python curling on a tree, wild boars in a group, running deer and peacocks dance were like a dream came true.
From the wild life – species conservation, the awareness rose: that all the threats to nature, wildlife and environment were coming from human’ actions. With this kind of attitude, younger generations after me would be very difficult to see and enjoy nature like I did. I became aware what I was and are dealing with matters that are not merely knowledge and science, but ethics – understanding and moral; matters that are on our life style.
This made me to learn many other topics. Then, when I gave speeches to various audiences on the awareness, I became realized that Ethics and Moral should be more emphasized, also from spiritual points of view, to touch humans’ heart for a change to be better .Young generations should be empowered, particularly those who are already interested in nature and environment conservation. More youngsters should be trained to be skilled experts, which at the end will make their own life and future better.
So, at the beginning I started as a young veterinarian, dreaming to conserve wildlife. But soon as I starting joining the zoo in Surabaya, I knew that there were many bigger things on wildlife problems outside. Joining the Green Indonesia Foundation (introduced by Dr. McKinnon), I received the task on nature conservation education. After some more steps and challenges, I was been able to start the first Indonesian Environmental Education Centre (1988). Life, then directed me to enter wider aspects in raising people’s awareness. People here means from elderly to kindergartens’ children. Try to make them aware by showing and demonstrating to them simple things such as, throwing garbage, properly up to ethics and philosophy – that the way we live everyday affecting the nature, bad or good.
Therefore in the recent years I was involved in activities whose participants were from various background and age. In 2009 I worked within religion, conservation and public empowerment. Below, you will see several recent activities and the ongoing projects that I have initiated or involved with.
This was the evolution of life tasks, aims and hobby, I am grateful, in spite of many difficulties, there are supports from many sides. One of the important supports is Rolex, since more than 30 years ago. Hope the Rolex Award for Enterprise would be long living, supporting a unknown youngster who once in future might become shining stars, moon and even the sun with his/her ideas for humankind’s life.
Water Catchment Management and Arrangement to Avoid Erosion and Flood Integrated With Social Culture and Appropriate Technology
WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AND ARRANGEMENT TO AVOID EROSION AND FLOOD INTEGRATED WITH SOCIAL, CULTURE AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY.
Trawas area is located in Center East Java – Indonesia, on the slopes of the Vulcano Welirang. In the past, this area was rich with natural forests and many springs. At the present time, most of the forest has gone, as well as the springs. The still exist springs’ water debit were decreased
In July 23rd – 24th, 2006, Pring Woeloeng(*) organised a gathering: “Pakempalan Ngrembug tata carane wong padesan ngelestariake sumber lan alam padesan“ (gathering to discuss on how Javanese village’s tradition conserving springs and nature). It was reported on a hard copy of 68 pages, supported by ESP – USAID.
During this occasion which was participated by 62 persons: village elders, universities’ scientists, journalists and youngsters, about 12 major springs were visited, observed and discussed. As a result, there were 3 main aspects rediscovered: cultural – social aspect, biological and technical aspects.
Social – cultural aspects – thanksgiving rituals and prayers, literature on nature and springs’ conservation, respected cultural position of the “spring’s guardian”, myths, legends and taboos. All are decreased and disrespected at the present time.
Biological aspects – in the past there were rich biodiversities around the villages, particularly around the springs. There were hundreds of trees and plants, accommodated various land, air and water animals. At present, there are only few left, and the springs’ water debit is much decreased.
Technological aspects – methods to protect the springs with stones, filtration using plants and distribution to the people to use.
Main aim of the programme:
Springs and nature conservation being integrated with the conservation of the local genius and wisdom tradition, and archeological artifacts around Trawas area through integrated-field-applied activities, thus, all are supporting each other to reach sustainability.
Main action is
Seedlings bank:
- to replant all the once available plants around springs, according to the information obtained from the elderly during the 2006 discussion.
- to do reforestation on critical dry open lands.
To Support the main action, we run other important activities, which are:
-Conservation of Culture and Art
To build an integrated activity to conserve the local culture and tradition which have important values for nature and springs conservation; they are among others: thanksgiving rituals and prayers, literatures on nature and springs’ conservation, respected cultural position of the “spring’s guardian”, myths, legends and taboos.
Various artistic and cultural activities are: shadow-puppet (wayang kulit) shows, martial arts, thanksgiving rituals, traditional music, dances and songs.
These activities will also give positive economical values to the people, in the form of nature and culture tourism business.
- And other important activities related to
Activities that could increase local domestic income, so that there is no need to do illegal logging or any actions that destroy nature and the forest.
The positive actions are, such as: education, alternative technology and energy, agriculture (herbal medicine, ornamental plants, and plantation), home industry (handicrafts, snacks) and also eco – nature tourism.
Supported / under supervision of:
- GEF/SGP : Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme
- UNDP : United Nations Development Programme
- UNOPS : United Nations Office for Project Services
- YBUL : Yayasan Bina Usaha Lingkungan
(*) Pring Woeloeng is an environmental education institution which focuses mainly to young generation established in East Java, 2004.
RECENT / PAST ACTIVITIES IN 2009
RECENT AND PAST ACTIVITIES
November – December 2009 and continues
The springs conservation programme :
WATER CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AND ARRANGEMENT TO AVOID EROSION AND FLOOD INTEGRATED WITH SOCIAL CULTURE AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY.
, supported by UNDP and local groups has started by the creation of seedling banks (sites to grow seedlings of plants known since ancient time to be able to conserve springs).
Along with other local genius, wisdom and knowledge, performance of local art and culture were shown on New Year 2010′s Eve celebration.
Details at another article with same title.
September 2009
TRAINING for YOUNG CONSERVATIONISTS
In September 21 – 22, 2009, a short training course was held to improve skills and experiences on the methodology, media and procedure of conservation education. It was participated by 15 young conservationists from P-WEC (Petung Sewu Wildlife Education Center) in Batu – Malang, East Java – Indonesia.
Various skills and knowledge were shared, as I have been doing this activity for more than 25 years, since 1983, when since I joined the Green Indonesia Foundation, a leading institution of conservation education at that time.
August 2009
WORKSHOP and SEMINAR : ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION as an EFFORT TO REALIZING JUSTICE, PEACE and CREATION’S INTEGRATION
In 2008 the Carmelits Order of the Roman Catholic Church organised an International coference. One of important points was that the Order should initiate and motivate their congregation and laymen. The Carmelit Order of Indonesia, based in Malang, East Java, responded positively. The head , the Rev. Priest Albert O.Carm prepared immediately the seminar and workshop.
On August 1st -2nd, 2009, the occasion took place at the head quarter of the Indonesia’s Carmelit Order in Malang. It was participated by around 100 people, consists of priests, monks, nuns and lay people (families and young generations). I designed the programme to motivate them to take part actively in the solution of the global environmental crisis, under the light of the Church.
July 2009
MEDITATION for the HARMONY OF HUMAN AND NATURE
Another international gathering of a spiritual group was held in Trawas, East Java – Indonesia, on the 1 – 4 July 2009. Yogis, yoginis and lay people from various part of South East Asia gathered to discuss, exercise and practise meditation for the harmony of human and nature. The organizer was from the Ananda Marga Yoga sect, based in Anandpur – India.
It was a great honour for me to have discussion with the Yogis, and share ideas on the harmony of nature, human and other creatures. It was a pity that I could not participate the yoga asana; the physical yoga movement for physical harmony. While the meditation trains people to be even more sensitive to environmental problems and the disharmony of nature and humans.
May 2009
ENVIRONMENT, SPIRITUALITY and RELIGION
A few days before the Vaisak day (the birth, enlightment and passing by to Nirvana), I was lucky to have a chance to present a paper at the International Conference on the United Nation Day of Vaisak (ICUNDV) 2009, on the theme of Buddhist Approach to Global Environment Crisis.
The topic that I shared is
INTEGRATION OF DHARMA PRINCIPLES INTO THE ENHANCHMENT OF ENVIRONMENT QUALITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Practical environment knowledge and skills in the environment studies are needed to be practiced by Buddhist students. Based on the Dharma principles, practical environment management skills will have much higher values, benefit and also tangible results. Improvement of the environment quality with this strategy certainly will improve and enhance life’s quality of the people and all beings.
This improvement could be measured scientifically from the aspects of:
- a-biotic (water, air, soil, energy) factors quality;
- biotic (plants, animals, human) factors quality;
- socio economic (better heath and sanitation, nutrition, economy – income etc.) factors quality;
- proper / better conduct of the Dharma principles
These measurements can prove scientifically on how Buddhist principles can take part significantly to overcome global and local environment crisis.
The programme was held in Thailand on the 4th – 6th of May 2009. The paper was presented at the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Ayuthaya, on the 5th of May 2009.
24th Conference of the Caretakers of the Environment International 2010
The City of Batu, East Java, Indonesia. 4 – 10 July 2010
Experience Sharing Among Teachers and Students of Various Countries to Prepare Young Generations for the life’s future and humanity: Biodiversity and Culture
24th Conference of the Caretakers of the Environment International
One third of the world’s populations are youngsters, teenagers and youth, and they need a voice to find and determine their own future. Their active role in environment protection and preservation and their involvement on decisions about the environment and development really determines the success of this earth’s long term plans.
We are all generally agreed the facts that the world’s global biodiversity and various cultures are in threat, while the local cultures that live for centuries, had shown the local wisdom of preserving, conserving and to use nature elements in sustainable ways by honouring their existence.
Realizing that Indonesia moreover is one of the main source of the world’s remaining biodiversity with also has diverse cultures, it would be a great opportunity for youngsters around the world and Indonesian ourselves to realize this fact. Unfortunately many problems occur, like deforestation, air pollution, lost of biodiversity. These factors become more serious years by years, consequently it is crucial to develop public awareness, particularly of young generation, on global biodiversity importance through all sectors. If the young generation doesn’t realize this condition, hence we can’t imagine what would happened in our future life and our next generation
To prepare our next generation and help them to be prepared for the next future, education takes the main part. Young generation must be facilitated to take their formal education and take an active role in their community. We should working directly with young generation and their communities in devising, implementing and evaluating the common daily life styles, the habits so that they could determine whether the actions are destructing or maintaining. Many cultures contain local wisdom had shown the capability to see and maintain biodiversity
Our support, the communities themselves decide their priorities; is to take responsibility for the running of the activities and the drive to maintain them. We need to help them to step forward more confidently on their road to sustainable development. Build and strengthen their skills for leading their own development, independently for sustainable future.
Web site : http://www.cei2010.org
http://www.caretakers4all.org/
Post Graduate Training Course on Wildlife Conservation Management
A two semesters programme
Created by: Suryo W. Prawiroatmodjo
Implemented by: Brawijaya University – its Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematic, Department of Biology – and the Pro-fauna (Wild Life Conservation Organisation), both in Malang, East Java
Time (planned): begins in January 2010
Place: Malang, East Java – Indonesia
Background of the need:
The need of good wildlife conservation management to face the danger of many species extinction, to improve the situation of the threatened species;
Very few or lack of expertise compare to the needs;
Very few or lack of professional training for expertise in wildlife conservation management, not only at the government and the NGO sectors, but also at the academicians.
The need of a common background base knowledge at all sections of wildlife conservation activities (field, policy, health, traffic-trade, campaign, social community sectors etc.).
The need of the holistic integrated common background knowledge of wildlife conservation management for its actors and stakeholders (policy makers, field officers, health controllers and managers, campaigners etc.)
Aim:
A tailor made programme suitable for each participant who are expected coming from all sectors of wildlife management, with a holistic integrated programme with more than 70% field implementation activities.
It is expected that as the result of this programme there will be experts on wildlife conservation management from all sectors: lawyers, field officers, wildlife veterinarians, public relation/campaigners etc. They, then, could lead and direct wildlife improvement properly.
This programme is opened to personnel of the national parks and other conservation area up to the policy makers (at the parliament, government agencies), trading controllers (incl. wildlife quarantine, health control), people responsible to the habitat and species improvements (incl. reproduction possibilities, health management), and to economical-cultural and social aspects (incl. campaigners, educators), and many others.
