The Role of Women Farmers in Conservation
In the heart of Sumatra Island, Indonesia, Tesso Nilo National Park is often in the headlines due to human-wildlife conflicts resulting from illegal encroachment and deforestation for oil palm plantations. However, a ray of hope emerges thanks to women farmers living in the national park's buffer zone. In the village of Lubuk Kembang Bunga, located in the buffer zone next to the park, women are leading an initiative to plant fruit trees that serve a conservation purpose and provide extra income.
To prevent elephants from destroying their fruit crops, residents plant citrus trees, which repel the pachyderms. In other areas, they also plant fruits loved by these large animals, such as jackfruits, their relative cempedak, and stinky beans, known in Indonesian as petai. Ernita, a 33-year-old farmer, said she can now breathe a sigh of relief after planting citrus trees on the periphery of her oil palm plantation.
"Before we had the citrus trees, the elephants would always eat our oil palm fruits," she told Mongabay Indonesia. "We had to replant the trees four or five times… Thank God, since we planted the citrus trees, the elephants haven't eaten our oil palm fruits".
Why This Matters
The initiative led by women farmers not only helps protect their crops but also contributes to the conservation of Tesso Nilo National Park and its inhabitants, including the elephants. Habitat loss and forest fragmentation are some of the main threats to the survival of elephants in Sumatra. By planting fruit trees that attract elephants away from oil palm plantations, women are helping reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Furthermore, the initiative also promotes economic sustainability for local families. The fruits planted not only serve as a food source for elephants but can also be sold in local markets, providing extra income for families.
The Scientific Mechanism Behind This
The choice to plant citrus trees as a barrier to repel elephants is not random. Citrus trees contain essential oils that are known to repel many animals, including elephants. This characteristic is utilized by women farmers to protect their oil palm plantations.
Additionally, planting fruits that attract elephants away from oil palm plantations is also based on an understanding of the ecology and behavior of these animals. Elephants are attracted to easy and abundant food sources, and by planting fruits they prefer, women farmers are creating an "ecological corridor" that directs elephants away from cultivation areas.
Bigger Context
The initiative by women farmers in Lubuk Kembang Bunga is not an isolated case. In many parts of the world, local communities are developing innovative solutions to deal with human-wildlife conflict. These solutions often involve combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices.
In the context of elephant conservation in Sumatra, protecting and restoring natural habitats is crucial. Habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion is one of the main threats to the survival of elephants. Initiatives like planting fruit trees that attract elephants away from oil palm plantations can contribute to mitigating these threats.
What Happens Next
The initiative led by women farmers in Lubuk Kembang Bunga is an inspiring example of how conservation can be achieved through community action. However, for these efforts to be sustainable in the long term, continued support from conservation organizations, governments, and other stakeholders is necessary.
Furthermore, replicating similar models in other areas where human-wildlife conflict is a problem can be an effective strategy for promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wild animals. The exchange of knowledge and experiences between local communities and conservation organizations can play a crucial role in this process.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.