UNS — The undergraduate program in Environmental Science Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta through the Rural Assistance Program provided assistance and development of ecotourism for the local community. The assistance focuses on the concept to utilize local potential sustainably in Papringan Village, Kaliwungu Subdistrict, Semarang District.
The ecotourism development based on agricultural potential and water resources is an excellent development program according to the initial screening results conducted by the team and local people request. The assistance and development program started with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving village apparatus and community representatives in Papringan Village Hall on November 2021.
In the FGD, the team from UNS that consisted of students and faculty members discussed with the local people and shared information on ecotourism and environmental health to enrich local people’s knowledge on mitigation and sustainability of the local environment. To support the development of ecotourism destinations in the village, the team also provided grape seeds and trash bins and training on grapes cultivation methods shared by UNS students.
In this discussion, the local people stated that the main potential of tourism in the village is the freshwater source. This potential is expected to be developed with the natural landscape dominated by agricultural spaces and vineyards. Menjing Hamlet is mentioned to have initiated the management of water channels for tourism attractions. Papringan people are open to being a partner in the program and working together with the Environmental Science Program UNS in developing local tourism destinations.
Prof. Dr. Sunarto, M.S., representing the Environmental Science Program UNS, stated their readiness to assist and support the tourism development in the village. Papringan Village is considered to have a natural potential and high interest to develop ecotourism, a concept of utilizing environmental services for sociocultural interest (tourism) using a sustainable approach.
“We hope the development of ecotourism will contribute to increasing local people welfare and maintain the environmental harmony,” Prof. Sunarto stated as reported by mipa.uns.ac.id.
Further, Prof. Sunarto emphasized that the presence of the Environmental Science Program UNS to assist Papringan Village is not a “hit and run” activity. As the initial agreement, this program will be continuous and synergize with the Kampus Merdeka program to improve Papringan Village people. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti