Professor of Fahutan IPB University: Ethnobotany in Papua Should Be the Basis of Sovereign and Sustainable Development

Professor of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) IPB University, Prof Ervizal AM Zuhud emphasized the urgency of ethnobotany in realizing sovereign sustainable development, especially in Papua as a tropical region.

Ethnobotany is a science that studies human relationships with local plant resources in their utilization and management in a sustainable, hereditary, compact, and locally specific manner.

According to Prof Amzu, as he is often called, ethnobotany is the main footing in building national sovereignty, in every region of Indonesia based on socio-cultural human resources (HR) and local specific natural resources (SDA).

“It should also be connected and strengthened with the latest science and technology (ipteks) of universities that are appropriate, in order to realize in the real world the precepts of Pancasila,” he said.

Prof Amzu also emphasized the urgency of natural forest protection, care, preservation, and development of local wisdom with the latest science and technology of higher education.

This, he said, has been neglected due to the disorientation of Western modernization and the expansion of mining activities that are not environmentally friendly, pursuing only per capita income which is very short-term and very materialistic. Moreover, only a few groups enjoy the results.

In fact, indigenous peoples have used various types of plants for generations for food, medicine, dyes, household tools, and even poisons.

“This knowledge is a national asset that needs to be raised and developed with the latest science and technology that is appropriate to realize high added value from our local SDA in each region of the Republic of Indonesia. Only this can realize strong national sovereignty in a sustainable manner,” he said.

In the context of tropical forest conservation such as in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Prof Amzu stated that the ethnobotanical practices of the Matbat tribe on Misool Island are very interesting. The Matbat tribe has extensive knowledge about plants and herbs used for various purposes, such as medicine, food, and traditional ceremonies.

“They have a technology system that is still traditional, such as using tools made from plants and metals. An example is the use of ‘noken’, a bag made of woven bamboo and sago palm fronds, and or other local plant fibers,” he said.

In addition, the Matbat tribe also has the practice of “sasi”, which is a natural resource management system carried out by closing the use of resources and areas within a certain period of time. This practice, according to Prof Amzu, is very effective in preserving the environment and natural resources.

Researching the ethnobotanical practices of the Matbat tribe, such as the sago forest, is one of the important components of biodiversity on Misool Island. Sago is not only important as an economic value of the main food source, but also ecologically, and socio-culturally has a high and strategic value.

“The ethnobotanical practices of the Matbat tribe are very important in preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples in West Papua,” he said.

Prof Amzu considers that forest exploitation through mining expansion in Papua will bring great threats to forest sustainability and local knowledge of the community. Mining that does not take into account ecology will only bring long-term losses, even becoming a disaster that is difficult to recover from.

He then quoted the statement of an American nature conservation academic, Aldo Leopold, who stated, “If the life of the universe for millions of years has shaped something that we like, but do not understand, then who else if not stupid and stupid people who even remove parts (damage the forest) that seem useless.”

“Sago is not just food, but a symbol of sovereignty and independence,” said the lecturer of Forest Resource Conservation and Ecotourism (KSHE) IPB University. He also said that customary law must be used as the main foundation in the development of plant management policies.

“The natural forest is the living library of local communities and all of us. If the forest is lost, we lose very valuable knowledge,” he said.

Prof Amzu called on the government to mandate and actively involve all universities in Indonesia in researching and developing bioprospection of local plants that have long been used by the community.

“Local knowledge must be studied, connected, combined, and strengthened with the latest appropriate technology so that its added value increases manifold, especially for the welfare of local communities in a sustainable and sustainable manner,” he said.

According to him, development must be carried out in a well-planned manner with an ecological approach as an important and main factor. “Economy is not the enemy of ecology. In fact, the right economy is one that complies with ecological principles,” he added. He added that sustainability is not just about short-term profits, but also the legacy that will be left behind for future generations.

Prof Amzu also criticized the regional autonomy system that has not fully favored local potential. He suggested that each region in Indonesia be empowered based on the uniqueness of its local natural resources and human resources.

“Make the local people of each region of Indonesia the subject of development of their respective regions,” he said. As for the steps, Prof Amzu elaborated, involve them in planning; increase capacity, awareness, and knowledge through education, training, and sustainable assistance.

The government, he continued, must also guarantee local communities’ access to SDA. The last step is to encourage and protect local economic development.

“If universities are given the responsibility and role as ‘konco’ of village community development to develop local resources based on laws or government policies, then each region can be independent and sovereign in its own way,” he said.

In the end, he emphasized, “Higher education is not an ivory tower or not only satisfied with Scopus-indexed research publications.” (dr) (IAAS/ASY)