IPB University Student Strategy to Realize Sustainable Forests through Innovation KKN-T

Efforts to conserve forests so that they can provide added value to the lives of rural communities can be one of the solutions in efforts to protect forests from conversion/exploitation which can damage forests. This prompted the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) IPB University to hold debriefing lectures on the special topic of Social Forestry in order to prepare the 2023 Thematic – Community Service Program (KKN-T) Innovation which will take place from 19 June to 30 July 2023.

The Social Forestry Innovation KKN-T Program was started by Fahutan IPB University and supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the Directorate General of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnerships (Ditjen PSKL). On this occasion the debriefing was attended by all students of the IPB University Fahutan Innovation KKN-T Batch I, totaling 377 students and Field Supervisors (DPL).

Catur Endah Prasetiani as Director of Social Forestry Business Development, Directorate General of PSKL KLHK in her opportunity to convey the topic of social forestry as one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) in the context of sustainable forest management that provides benefits to the community.

“The essence of the success of social forestry is the involvement of the younger generation, especially students as a driving force in the organization of social forestry groups, especially in the development of innovation and technology,” said Catur closing her material session.

Meanwhile, IPB University lecturer from the Department of Conservation of Forest Resources and Ecotourism (KSHE), Dr Eva Rachmawati conveyed the topic regarding tourism development internationally which put the community as the main subject which is better known as Community Based Tourism (CBT).

“CBT is a tourism activity that is owned and operated by the community. Through this debriefing activity, the strategic role of students is as a leverage in tourism development activities in the community, especially in locations that will become destination villages for IPB’s KKN-T Innovation,” said Eva.

As a complement, the debriefing is accompanied by other topics related to Community-based Tourism Development and Utilization of Household Waste into Fertilizer.

In addition to theoretical provision, in the debriefing activities, Fahutan IPB University students are equipped with skills (practice) to utilize household waste into fertilizer. Andi Sukendro, MSi as the third speaker on this topic emphasized that utilizing household waste which is the largest source of waste is an activity that not only provides benefits for nature and the environment, but can also provide added economic value to society.

The debriefing in the form of practice complements the theoretical debriefing that has been carried out. With these two types of provision, Fahutan IPB University students are expected to be able to plan, create and implement programs KKN-T Innovation in their respective areas, according to the uniqueness and needs of the village community. (*/SHM/Rz) (IAAS/SHY)