Himakova of IPB Conducts Expedition of Flora Fauna Exploration to Ciletuh Geopark

A total of 63 students belonging to the Indonesian Ecotourism Fauna Flora Exploration (Rafflesia), the Student Association of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecotourism (Himakova), Faculty of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University (Fahutan of IPB), held an expedition to Ciletuh Geopark, Sukabumi District, West Java Province. For ten days in early February, this team explored the potential of fauna, flora, cave, ecotourism and socio-cultural community in the area of Ciletuh Geopark.

Dr. Ir. Agus Hikmat, M.Sc.F, the coach of Himakova, said that this Rafllesia expedition is a routine activity since 2007. The conservation areas or forest areas that had ever been the expedition destinations are Education Forest of Mount Walat, Nature Reserve (CA) of Mount Simpang, CA of Rawa Danau, CA of Mount Burangrang, Mount Halimun Salak National Park, CA of Tangkuban Perahu, CA of Bojong Larang Jayanti, CA of Mount Tilu, Cikepuh Wildlife Reserve and CA of Leuweung Sancang.

"This expedition aims to train professionality and field experiences in conservation subject for students who are members of Himakova," he said.

Different from previous years, Rafflesia Expedition 2018 was not only conducted in the conservation area but also in geotourism area which has interesting resource potential to be studied. The exploration of Ciletuh Geopark area was divided into nine studies by eight Observer Groups (KP) and one study team, namely KP of Mammal, KP of Bird, KP of Herpetofauna, KP of Butterfly, KP of Flora, KP of Cave, KP of Ecotourism, Conservation Photography and socio-cultural study team.

The Rafflesia Expedition was expected to support the conservation efforts of biological natural resources, along with its management. The Rafflesia Expedition could also support the management of Ciletuh Geopark area as a world heritage site that has been confirmed by UNESCO in 2015.

In addition to exploring the potential of natural resources and socio-cultural resources, Rafflesia team also conducted a Socialisation of Conservation activity at SMP Negeri 1 Waluran, Sukabumi. This socialisation was followed by students of SMP Negeri 1 Waluran and SMLK Waluran.

By using fun learning method, Rafflesia team invited the students to be more familiar and love all natural, social and cultural resources that need to be preserved. This socialization activity was ended with the action of planting tree seedlings around SMP Negeri 1 Waluran. Through this tree planting activity, the students were invited to actualize conservation in a simple scope.

"Growing the conservation soul of younger generation is one proof of Himakova's dedication to society," he added. (TK)