The Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Brawijaya (FP UB) gathers the academics, Malang Regency Government, Forestry and the people of Tawangargo Village and Ngenep Village to discuss the management of Watersheds (DAS), the aim is to accommodate the concept of watershed management from academics, government and surrounding village communities.
Prof. Ir. Kurniatun Hairiah, Ph.D explained, currently there are differences in the management of watershed areas, especially in Malang Regency.
“30 years ago it was different from today, where initially the land was only used as agricultural land. Indeed now there is a difference of interest. Because not only agriculture is developed but also animal husbandry, irrigation, and even ecotourism,” she said.
Prof Cho added that there was a shift in land use due to lifestyle changes of the urban community so that it required a large enough land area not only for food or agriculture but also environmental services.
“People need clean air, especially the urban people lifestyle who come to villages to look for clean air, then there is an ecotourism market. Then tourist attractions are built such as Korean, Japanese and Dutch styles so that people come, that is what local tourists are interested in,” she said
Therefore, Prof. Kurniatun said that different land uses will also have different effects and management.
“So we have to be careful about how these impacts on the social, ecological, and cultural community,” said Prof. Kurniatun.
In watershed management, it does not require sector involvement only but also the integration of the departments of forestry, agriculture, universities, local governments and village communities.
“This is what we have to think about how to solve this problem so that everyone gets benefits equally. Through this activity, it is hoped that a solution can be obtained,” she said.
Meanwhile, The Head of the Department of Land, Syahrul Kurniawan, SP., MP., Ph.D said that the multifunctional management of watershed-scale landscapes is expected to become a field laboratory for students to learn anything.
“This is the implementation of independent learning that is not only in learning in the class but also practicing in the field so that students have comprehensive insights that can add points when applying for jobs,” he said.
The workshop activity also presented the Regent of Malang, H.M. Sanusi. In his presentation, Sanusi explained about the potential of Malang Regency in the fields of health, economy and tourism, forestry, fisheries and agriculture.
“In the health sector, several large and international hospitals will be built. Meanwhile, in the tourism sector, there are several sectors that can be developed, such as Bromo Tengger Semeru area, and South Malang Coast Region.
To strengthen cooperation, FP UB also signed an agreement with several parties, namely Malang Forestry CDK, the Head of Tawangargo Village, and the representative of the Head of Ngenep Village.
The Head of UB Forest Farmers Group, Pi’i, hopes that the policies that will be issued can include programs that provide added value to the economy of the surrounding community.
The workshop between the government, academics, and the community is a series of activities for the PKKM (Independent Campus Competition Program) Agro-ecotechnology study program funded by the Higher Education. (OKY/ Humas UB/ Trans. Iir).
