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*From forest conservation areas to tilapia fish farming: how the people of Bahaur Village are proving that protecting forests can go hand-in-hand with economic well-being.*

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Budi Perdana (58), an Indigenous Dayak resident of Bahaur Village, has become a leading advocate for forest protection, despite his initial hesitation. Gawi Bapakat, a sustainable village initiative in Seruyan District, offers incentives like high-value commodity farming to encourage communities to protect the remaining forests. The goal is to create alternative livelihoods that reduce reliance on extractive industries and monoculture plantations, which often require land clearing. In Bahaur, the program supports Budi and his fellow villagers by promoting fish farming as a source of income in exchange for limiting forest use. 

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Although the approach was unfamiliar to Budi at first, it gradually opened a new path toward conservation and sustainable living. After attending outreach sessions, training, and witnessing the incentive support firsthand, such as the provision of floating net cages, his doubt turned into confidence. Since 2023, Budi has been actively involved in incentive-based conservation and now independently manages tilapia fish farming as part of efforts to protect the forest without losing his source of income.

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Based on land-use mapping results, the village government and its residents agreed to commit to protecting forests and peatlands through an inclusive and sustainable approach. The protected area is no small feat: 439 hectares of community forest (*HKm*), 216 hectares of village forest (*Hutan Desa*), and 756 hectares of protected forest in the non state forest zone, all managed sustainably.

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In Bahaur Village, forest protection is no longer seen as a restriction—it has become a new way of life. Through a conservation incentive scheme facilitated by Gawi Bapakat, the village has committed to protecting a total of 1,310 hectares of forest area. In return, Gawi Bapakat provides support based on a ratio of 1 hectare of incentive for every 100 hectares of forest conserved. Through this mechanism, Bahaur Village received floating net cages as an incentive for its conservation efforts. This means that the community not only gains environmental benefits but also receives direct livelihood support that helps them shift away from potentially harmful practices.

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It’s not just about monitoring forest cover and preventing wildfires—it’s also about encouraging alternative livelihoods that don’t harm the environment, such as tilapia fish farming using floating net cages (*keramba jaring apung*).

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“The village head invited us at the time, and we received education and explanations about the importance of protecting forests and their impact on future generations. Once we started, it turned out we could do it. We kept receiving guidance, and thank God, we were able to go through with it,” said Budi.

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On January 3, 2025, Budi had his first harvest. From the cage he managed, he harvested 160 kilograms of tilapia with an average weight of 3.5 to 5 ounces per fish. The fish were sold at IDR 40,000 per kilogram at the local market in Pembuang Hulu, generating a total income of IDR 6,400,000.

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That income was reinvested in purchasing new fry and feed. The farming cycle continued without needing additional expenses or damaging the forest. “From the harvest, we didn’t lose money. We could restock fry and also support the family’s economy,” explained Budi.

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However, this success did not come without challenges. According to him, the mortality rate of fry was quite high at the beginning of their transfer into the cages, likely due to adaptation to the new environment. In addition, heavy rainfall had caused flooding, along with feed access issues. These factors delayed the harvesting process. “But all of it could be overcome thanks to good teamwork,” said Budi.

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In Bahaur, Budi is not the only one receiving a cage incentive. Five other villagers are also actively farming tilapia: Bujiansyah, Sudratul Musthofa, Saudi Rahman, Bambang, and Wahidin. Together, they are a living example that conservation can go hand-in-hand with improved livelihoods.

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“This can serve as an example. We invite others so they know that it’s possible to protect forests while still earning an income,” said Budi.

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This spirit is not just a slogan—it is a collective movement slowly spreading to other villagers. Beyond economic gains, the incentive becomes a moral reward—that forest protection efforts are appreciated and worth pursuing.

  ![](https://petani.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ourstoryentity/ebfa42ed-61cf-406e-ab73-433d825684d0.jpg)

Bahaur Village is shifting its paradigm. They’re proving that with the right guidance, education, and support, communities can shift from relying on forest exploitation to becoming active stewards of existing ecosystems.

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Budi hopes that others can also experience the benefits by getting involved in forest protection. According to him, Bahaur’s conservation is a clear example that conservation is not a sacrifice, but an investment, not only for the environment, but also for the sustainable future of its people.

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“Let’s protect the forest together, so we don’t face erosion or flooding. Because the forest is essential for our lives.”

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 ![](https://petani.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ourstoryentity/bc0ea209-6427-4fd3-b8b9-766b922c7fcf.jpg)*Dari kawasan konservasi hutan ke budidaya ikan nila: bagaimana warga Desa Bahaur membuktikan bahwa perlindungan hutan bisa sejalan dengan kesejahteraan ekonomi.*

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Budi Perdana (58), seorang warga adat Dayak dari Desa Bahaur, awalnya merasa ragu ketika diajak untuk terlibat dalam upaya perlindungan hutan. Gagasan membatasi pemanfaatan hutan dan menggantinya dengan budidaya ikan terasa asing baginya. Namun, setelah mengikuti kegiatan sosialisasi, pelatihan, dan melihat langsung bentuk dukungan insentif—seperti bantuan keramba jaring apung—keraguannya berubah menjadi keyakinan. Sejak tahun 2023, Budi aktif terlibat dalam konservasi berbasis insentif dan kini mengelola budidaya ikan nila secara mandiri sebagai bagian dari upaya menjaga hutan tanpa kehilangan sumber penghasilannya.

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Desa Bahaur, yang terletak di Kecamatan Hanau, Kabupaten Seruyan, berada di tepi kawasan hutan gambut Kalimantan Tengah. Masyarakat Bahaur menunjukkan bahwa menjaga hutan tidak harus berarti kehilangan mata pencaharian. Dengan semangat kebersamaan dan dukungan insentif dari upaya konservasi hutan, mereka secara perlahan mengubah ekonomi desa tanpa harus menebang pohon.

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Secara administratif, wilayah Desa Bahaur sebagian besar termasuk dalam kawasan hutan negara. Berdasarkan hasil pemetaan tata guna lahan, pemerintah desa bersama warganya bersepakat untuk melindungi kawasan hutan dan gambut melalui pendekatan yang inklusif dan berkelanjutan. Luas area yang dilindungi tidaklah kecil: 439 hektare hutan kemasyarakatan (HKm), 216 hektare hutan desa, dan 756 hektare hutan lindung dalam zona APL—semuanya dikelola secara berkelanjutan.

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Di Desa Bahaur, perlindungan hutan kini tidak lagi dipandang sebagai pembatasan, melainkan sebagai cara hidup baru. Melalui skema insentif konservasi yang difasilitasi oleh Gawi Bapakat, desa ini berkomitmen melindungi total 1.310 hektare kawasan hutan. Sebagai imbalannya, Gawi Bapakat memberikan dukungan dengan rasio 1 hektare insentif untuk setiap 100 hektare hutan yang dikonservasi. Melalui mekanisme ini, Desa Bahaur menerima bantuan keramba jaring apung sebagai bentuk insentif atas upaya konservasi mereka. Artinya, masyarakat tidak hanya memperoleh manfaat lingkungan, tetapi juga mendapat dukungan langsung terhadap penghidupan yang membantu mereka beralih dari praktik yang berpotensi merusak lingkungan.

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Upaya ini bukan semata tentang menjaga tutupan hutan atau mencegah kebakaran, melainkan juga mendorong sumber penghidupan alternatif yang ramah lingkungan, seperti budidaya ikan nila menggunakan keramba jaring apung.

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“Pak kades waktu itu mengajak kami, dan kami mendapat penyuluhan serta penjelasan tentang pentingnya menjaga hutan dan dampaknya bagi generasi mendatang. Setelah dijalani, ternyata kami bisa. Kami terus mendapat bimbingan, dan alhamdulillah bisa kami lewati,” ujar Budi.

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Pada 3 Januari 2025, Budi melakukan panen pertamanya. Dari keramba yang ia kelola, ia memanen 160 kilogram ikan nila dengan berat rata-rata 3,5 hingga 5 ons per ekor. Ikan-ikan tersebut dijual di pasar lokal Pembuang Hulu dengan harga Rp40.000 per kilogram, menghasilkan total pendapatan sebesar Rp6.400.000.

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Pendapatan tersebut digunakan kembali untuk membeli benih dan pakan baru. Siklus budidaya pun berlanjut tanpa perlu biaya tambahan dan tanpa merusak hutan. “Dari hasil panen itu, kami tidak rugi. Kami bisa beli benih lagi dan juga bantu ekonomi keluarga,” jelas Budi.

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Namun, keberhasilan ini tidak datang tanpa tantangan. Menurut Budi, tingkat kematian benih cukup tinggi di awal pemindahan ke keramba, kemungkinan karena proses adaptasi terhadap lingkungan baru. Selain itu, curah hujan yang tinggi menyebabkan banjir, serta adanya kesulitan dalam akses pakan. Faktor-faktor ini membuat waktu panen sempat tertunda. “Tapi semua bisa diatasi berkat kerja sama tim yang baik,” ujar Budi.

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Di Bahaur, Budi bukan satu-satunya penerima insentif keramba. Lima warga lainnya juga aktif membudidayakan ikan nila: Bujiansyah, Sudratul Musthofa, Saudi Rahman, Bambang, dan Wahidin. Bersama-sama, mereka menjadi contoh nyata bahwa konservasi bisa berjalan seiring dengan peningkatan kesejahteraan.

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“Ini bisa jadi contoh. Kita ajak yang lain supaya tahu bahwa menjaga hutan itu bisa sambil tetap punya penghasilan,” kata Budi.

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Semangat ini bukan sekadar slogan—melainkan sebuah gerakan kolektif yang perlahan menyebar ke warga lainnya. Di luar keuntungan ekonomi, insentif ini menjadi bentuk penghargaan moral—bahwa upaya menjaga hutan dihargai dan layak diperjuangkan. 

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Desa Bahaur sedang mengalami perubahan paradigma. Mereka membuktikan bahwa dengan bimbingan, edukasi, dan dukungan yang tepat, masyarakat bisa beralih dari ketergantungan pada eksploitasi hutan menjadi penjaga aktif ekosistem yang ada.

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Budi berharap masyarakat lainnya juga bisa merasakan manfaat dengan terlibat dalam perlindungan hutan. Menurutnya, upaya konservasi di Bahaur adalah bukti nyata bahwa menjaga hutan bukanlah pengorbanan, melainkan sebuah investasi—bukan hanya untuk lingkungan, tetapi juga untuk masa depan yang berkelanjutan bagi masyarakatnya.

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“Mari kita jaga hutan bersama, supaya tidak terjadi longsor atau banjir. Karena hutan itu penting untuk kehidupan kita.”

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