Enviro News Asia, Kupang – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is strengthening the development of young forest conservation leaders through its Saka Wanabakti program by expanding field-based learning and leadership training in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The initiative was highlighted during the Saka Wanabakti Capacity Building Program for East Nusa Tenggara, held on July 20–21 in Kupang. The program included the inauguration of the Mapoli Forest Area with Special Purpose (KHDTK Mapoli) as a Saka Wanabakti camping ground and Genries basecamp, a Saka Wanabakti service camp, a regional coordination forum, and a field visit to KHDTK Oelsonbai.
Acting Head of the Forestry Extension and Human Resources Development Agency and Chair of the National Saka Wanabakti Council, Indra Exploitasia, said developing Saka Wanabakti members represents a long-term investment in building a highly capable forestry workforce.
He emphasized that the success of the program should not be measured by the completion of activities, but by the emergence of young people who continue to collaborate, innovate, and take meaningful action to conserve forests in their respective communities.
Luckmi Purwandari, Head of the Forest Conservation Youth Development Center and Secretary General of the National Saka Wanabakti Council, said the program aims to provide learning experiences closely connected to real forestry conditions while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
She noted that every Forest Area with Special Purpose should become a place where young people can learn, develop leadership skills, and contribute to environmental conservation before returning to their communities as agents of change.
The newly inaugurated KHDTK Mapoli covers approximately 16.6 hectares and has served as a forestry education and training forest since 2017. The Ministry plans to further develop the site as a field learning center where Saka Wanabakti members can gain practical experience in forest conservation, ecosystem management, forest rehabilitation, and applied forestry education.
Participants also joined the East Nusa Tenggara Saka Wanabakti Service Camp, which featured leadership development, character building, forestry scouting skills, and field-based environmental education designed to prepare youth as future environmental leaders.
A regional consolidation forum held during the event brought together representatives from the National Saka Wanabakti Council, the Forestry Human Resources Development Center Region VII Kupang, technical units of the Ministry of Forestry, the East Nusa Tenggara Scout Movement, and other stakeholders.
The forum evaluated the implementation of Saka Wanabakti programs across the province, identified future development priorities, and strengthened cooperation among institutions involved in youth forestry education.
One of the key outcomes was a joint commitment by the Ministry’s regional technical units to optimize Forest Areas with Special Purpose as centers for field education, training, camping activities, and forestry scouting programs based on each site’s ecological characteristics.
The program concluded with a visit to KHDTK Oelsonbai to assess its potential as a center for field education, research, training, and youth development in the forestry sector.
The Ministry of Forestry stated that future efforts to strengthen Saka Wanabakti will involve closer collaboration among its directorates to enhance the implementation of the program’s four core areas—Tata Wana, Guna Wana, Bina Wana, and Reksa Wana—through integrated training, technical expertise, and practical field experience to prepare the next generation of Indonesia’s forest conservation leaders. (*)
