The impact of the Biosphere Reserve label on the Bajau tribe is not yet optimal

The Bajau tribe supports the world biosphere reserve label, but other fishermen still take marine products by destroying nature.

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Bajau fishermen fishing near Panggulubelo Harbor on Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Wednesday (1/5/2024).

WAKATOBI, KOMPAS — Benefits of the designation of the Wakatobi Islands as a biosphere reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or < a href="https://www.kompas.id/label/unesco?open_from=automate_body_url">UNESCO has not been fully felt by the Bajau tribe. Community involvement in nature conservation efforts and cultural advancement in Wakatobi needs to be strengthened.

President of Bajau Family Harmony Abdul Manan explained that there are still many Bajau tribes in Wakatobi who do not understand the benefits of establishing a biosphere reserve established by UNESCO since 2013, so they feel they have not benefited. This is due to a lack of direct outreach to the community.

He stated that the Bajau people strongly support the designation of their region as a biosphere reserve, but fishermen from outside the area still harvest Wakatobi's marine resources in an environmentally unfriendly manner. Meanwhile, Bajau fishermen never use bombs, tiger nets, and the like to catch fish.

"Thus, let us resolve this information and treatment within the biosphere reserve first, so that it may have a greater impact on the community's welfare," said Abdul in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Friday (May 3, 2024).

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

The oars and arrow fishing tool used by the Bajau fishermen were exhibited in the "Polaosi" exhibition held by the Directorate of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology at Patuno Resort, Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Thursday (May 2, 2024).

In addition, the development of culture within the Bajau tribe is slowly beginning to fade away. Many young generations of Bajau no longer recognize and practice Bajau traditions in their daily lives due to the influence of modernity.

The oral tradition, Iko-iko, which was often practiced by Bajau ancestors in the past, is now rarely practiced. In fact, Iko-iko was previously used as a medium for religious moderation as well as entertainment among the Bajau tribe. Wakatobi children are now playing more online games on their devices.

The Bajau tribe still wants to be involved in biosphere reserve conservation efforts in the UNESCO program through the Bajau Declaration.

Secretary of the Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (SeaBRnet) Ryuichi Fukuhara emphasized that local communities are an essential element in conservation efforts. This is because they have been preserving the biosphere reserve areas for a long time with environmental-friendly local wisdom.

"Listen to the local community, conservation organizations, and policymakers to get a complete picture of the challenges in the biosphere reserve development area," said Ryuichi.

Also read: Introducing the Spice Route to Wakatobi's Next Generation

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Bajau gambus artists performed on a boat near Panggulubelo Port as a tribute to the ASEAN and UNESCO delegations who were holding a meeting on Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday (5/1/2024).

Environmental Science lecturer at Halu Oleo University in Kendari, Amar Ma'ruf, added that one of the problems faced by Bajau fishermen in Wakatobi is the low prices of their catch, which are bought by middlemen in the market. Economic pressure leaves the Bajau tribe with no other option but to sell their fish at a cheap price.

Well-being

However, the designation of a biosphere reserve area should also contribute to the welfare of the community within it. Yet, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency, Wakatobi Regency is the third poorest area out of 18 regencies or cities in Southeast Sulawesi with a poverty rate of 14.81 percent.

"The fish bosses, right, are also Bajau, so don't cut the price of the fish anymore, why is it like that? Yes, because it doesn't reflect 'sai kita' (Bajau family). "He doesn't realize that he has destroyed the economy of the Bajau community," said Amar.

Also read: Parade of Hundreds of Wakatobi Bajau Tribe Ships

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Fish caught by the Bajau fishermen are brought to shore at Panggulubelo Port in Wangi-Wangi, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday (May 1, 2024).

However, the Bajau tribe still wants to be involved in the conservation efforts of biosphere reserves in the UNESCO program through the Bajau Declaration, which was read at the Panggulubelo Port in Wangi-Wangi, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday (May 1, 2024).

They declare their willingness to take part and collaborate with all Bajau tribes in Southeast Asia to preserve the culture, traditions, and way of life of the Bajau tribe.

The Bajau Declaration also serves as a contribution of ideas from the Bajau community for the 15th Southeast Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (SeaBRnet) International Conference, held in Patuno Village, Wakatobi District, from April 30 to May 2, 2024.

The results of SeaBRnet will also be continued at the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) Congress in Hangzhou, China, in 2025. This ten-yearly congress was last held in Lima, Peru, in 2016, which gave birth to the Lima Action Plan.

Also read: Genetics Prove Bajau Tribe's Diving Ability