Sugeng Handoko - Peran Pemuda Membangun Desa | BukaTalks

Summary

This inspiring story shares the journey of Nglanggeran Village in Gunung Kidul, where the young generation plays a pivotal role in transforming their community through eco-tourism and local entrepreneurship. Over the years, the village recognized its hidden potential, from ancient volcanic mountains to cacao cultivation, and developed sustainable tourism initiatives that focus on conservation, education, and community empowerment. The village’s success is built on a foundation of collaboration, creativity, and a deep connection to their heritage, offering an example of how small communities can thrive by focusing on sustainability and local values.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nglanggeran Village in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, has transformed from an overlooked area to a thriving eco-tourism destination, with its residents now proud of their heritage.
• 😀 The development process took years, focusing on recognizing local potentials, managing human resources, and effectively using public relations to raise awareness.
• 😀 The village's key natural attractions include an ancient volcanic mountain, an innovative water reservoir (Embung Nglanggeran), and a seasonal waterfall with seven terraces.
• 😀 The community has leveraged its cacao bean production to create value-added products, such as chocolate drinks and bars, significantly increasing local income.
• 😀 Eco-tourism has become a crucial strategy for the village, balancing environmental conservation, education, and community empowerment while combating urbanization.
• 😀 The village’s youth organization, Karang Taruna, played a key role in creating awareness about tourism and engaging the community in developing the village's tourist offerings.
• 😀 The village's focus is on sustainable tourism, where visitors not only enjoy sightseeing but also interact with the local community, creating deeper connections.
• 😀 One of the village’s main attractions is the creation of local products, such as chocolate drinks, as part of its tourism offer, which benefits the community economically.
• 😀 Over-tourism was an issue, leading to a decrease in the number of visitors but an increase in earnings per visitor, aiming to maintain a balance between growth and comfort for both residents and tourists.
• 😀 The village's growth has led to a decrease in social issues like divorce rates, as families have become more integrated into local businesses, keeping people engaged in the community.
• 😀 The village is committed to sustainability, with a focus on responsible waste management, preserving cultural traditions, and providing local employment through tourism and related activities.

Q & A

What motivated the community to take pride in their village, Gunung Kidul?

The community initially felt embarrassed about being from Gunung Kidul. However, over time, they realized the potential of their village, particularly in eco-tourism, agriculture, and local products. This led them to take pride in their roots and proudly share their village's story with others.

What are some of the key steps the community took to develop their village?

The community followed a few key steps: recognizing their village's potential, managing human resources, and communicating through public relations to raise awareness about the village's offerings.

What are some of the unique natural resources in Nglanggeran Village?

Nglanggeran Village is home to an ancient volcanic mountain, rocks everywhere, a water reservoir for rainwater conservation, a seasonal waterfall with seven terraces, and fertile land suitable for agriculture.

How did the development of chocolate production impact the local economy?

By processing cacao beans into chocolate products, the community significantly increased its income. Previously, the cacao beans sold for Rp. 20.000 to Rp. 25.000 per kg, but after processing, they sold for up to Rp. 250.000 per kg. This increase helped boost the local economy.

Why is eco-tourism seen as a solution for the village's future?

Eco-tourism addresses several issues: it prevents uncontrolled environmental damage like rock picking and tree cutting, mitigates urbanization by providing local jobs, and helps balance economic growth with environmental conservation.

What role does the youth play in the village's development?

The youth are central to the village's development. They form the core of the community's efforts in tourism, product innovation, and environmental education, with many taking leadership roles in organizing and executing initiatives.

What is the community's approach to managing tourism?

The community aims to offer more than just sightseeing. They focus on providing tourists with the opportunity to interact with locals, engage in cultural activities, and experience the village in an authentic, community-driven way.

How does the village manage waste produced by increased tourism?

The village has a strategy to handle waste management responsibly. While the increase in visitors creates challenges, they aim to process waste efficiently and turn it into resources that can benefit the community.

What was the impact of the tourism development on family life in the village?

Tourism development has had a positive impact on family life by keeping people in the village, allowing them to work locally, and fostering family unity. Many houses have turned into homestays, which promotes a family-oriented atmosphere and reduces social issues like divorce.

What are the future plans for Nglanggeran Village's tourism development?

The village plans to continue developing eco-tourism by adding new attractions and activities every two to three years. They are also expanding their local businesses, such as a spa, and focusing on preserving the environment while accommodating more tourists in a sustainable way.