Yayasan Konservasi RASI

Community Development

Sustainable aqua-culture projects that aim to reduce dependency on fish resources since 2009 have facilitated 80 gillnet fishers to become sustainable fish farmers by providing floating fish cages, fish pellet (until first harvest) and fish larva. RASI also initiated a local breeding facility and providing breeding fish to dozens of villages. Next steps are to produce pellets locally using locally produced earthworms. Trainings to diversify and create novel fish products (presto) with women groups have been done in four villages while several dried fish products. Other alternative income potentials have been facilitated in seven villages in the protected area including agropastura system from stingless honeybee (Meliponini) honey and plants, hydroponics, handycraft production from purun (grey-sedge plant), batik, and discarded wood. A new brand name ‘Pesut Lestari’ was established in 2024 under the commerce and trade department to accommodate all products and halal certificates were obtained for fish and honey products. These products are available for online purchase (see web shop).

Ecotourism

Pela village is a good example of a village conducting sustainable ecotourism activities in river dolphin’s core habitat. The village has achieved the official government label as eco-tourism village. This sustainable small-scale ecotourism in Pela has attracted domestic but also international tourists. The eco-tourism goal is to introduce the village’s local traditional fishing and river dolphin to the world while maintaining the tradition and interest of the younger generation.

The village has also made a commitment to zero-plastic waste into the river and celebrates traditional fishing practices in annual festivals and rowing competitions as well as promoting the Mahakam Pesut as a tourist attraction while applying a safe dolphin watching protocol. RASI is collaborating with local tour guides/ operators that provide conservation and community-based ecotourism tours (see details under Contact and Brochures).