46. Local Wisdom of Danowudu Community in Preserving Forest as a Water Source for the City of Bitung

Bitung is a city located in North Sulawesi province in Indonesia. It is a unique city due to having three conserved forests. Covering an area of 304 km² with a population of about 175,000 inhabitants, the need for clean water for Bitung is high. In the midst of the difficulties of having clean water available, there are people who have an important role in maintaining clean water resources for the community needs in the city. These are people from Danowudu sub-district who still retain 21.5 ha of forest to maintain the availability of clean water for Bitung. Local wisdom is the community’s local knowledge used by the community in carrying out environmental conservation for the sake of harmonious interaction between man and environment. To retain the sustainability of the forest and a clean water source, the indigenous community implements customary rules that entail customary sanctions to offenders. These include prohibition of the destruction and taking of forest products, as well as the obligation to maintain the forest’s sustainability. Local wisdom of Danowudu community has been proved to be very effective in preserving the city forests so that the source of clean water for the city of Bitung is well maintained.