When met on the sidelines of a presentation on the development of the Javan Leopard Population Survey of Java-Wide Leopard Survey (JWLS) in Jakarta on Tuesday, he stated that conservation efforts can benefit communities living around conservation areas.
Citing as an example, he drew attention to the involvement of communities around the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in ecotourism.
"When there are benefits felt by the local community, without being asked, they will support conservation, and the leopard can actually have fairly large economic potential if we can package it and develop it," he remarked.
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He emphasized that careful planning is essential for this development, especially since leopard conservation efforts can impact the growth of other populations. This presents a potential for wildlife tourism, allowing people to observe animals in their natural habitats without direct interaction.
"This means that wildlife tourism actually not only holds potential in terms of money, but the ecosystem is also better, the risk of flooding is reduced, the risk of water shortages is reduced, the risk of drought is also reduced," he explained.
"This has many benefits in the end; not only the money but also other things that support our lives are well maintained," he stated.
Earlier, a survey conducted by the ministry and the Indonesia SINTAS Foundation succeeded in identifying the population of the Javan Leopard in six of the seven landscapes that had been analyzed. The survey began last year and is planned to run for two years.
Related news: Indonesia begins population survey to track more Javan leopards
Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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