USE AND COMMUNITY ATTITUTE TOWARD RAFFLESIA ZOLLINGERIANA AND ITS CONSERVATION IN MERU BETIRI NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Conservation will successed if involves the community so that the use and attitude of the surrounding community is very important to know. This study aims to determine the use of Rafflesia zollingeriana and the attitudes of the surrounding community towards R. zollingeriana and its conservations. R. zollingeriana was once collected by residents around MBNP and used as medicinal materials. The survey results indicate that the community's knowledge and awareness of R. zollingeriana and its conservation is still low, so socialization is needed. Utilization of R. zollingeriana mainly occurs due to economic factors, therefore, the conservation policy must adopted integrate sustainable use and economic interests of the surrounding community. The recommended conservation is R. zollingeriana ecotourism. This activity should be carried out by involving relevant stakeholders: the community, MBNP, local government, private sector, NGOs, researchers, and academist. There are two proposed areas for the development of R. zollingeriana ecotourism, namely Teluk Hijau and Sukamade beach. The management of these two locations must pay attention to aspects of prevention, mitigation, and recovery. It is also suggested that routine inventory and propagation activities of R. zollingeriana must be involved stakeholder collaboration so that the population of R. zollingeriana in MBNP is maintained and sustainable for various purposes.

Keywords

• sikap
• pemanfaatan
• rafflesia zollingeriana
• konservasi.