BRIN-BBKSDA West Papua records local wisdom on the use of liver

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) conducted a study and recording of local wisdom on the use of plant biodiversity by indigenous peoples on Batanta Island, West Papua.

"The results of temporary observations show that a total of more than 100 types of plants are used by indigenous peoples for various purposes," said the coordinator of the study team from West Papua BBKSDA Reza Saputra in a written statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta, Friday.

Reza said the plants were used for various purposes including medicine, local food, clothing, traditional ceremonies, handicrafts, house equipment, buildings, and materials for making boats.
 
The Batanta indigenous people use the “wil-gelfun” plant (Coscinium fenestratum) which grows wild in the forest for traditional treatment of malaria, eye pain, digestive disorders, and fatigue.

The local community also uses the “teliih” plant (Terminalia catappa) which grows wild on the coast to treat open wounds, digestive disorders, and diarrhea.

Meanwhile, researcher from BRIN Destario Metusala who is involved in the research activity, said that the local wisdom of indigenous peoples in utilizing the surrounding plants needs to be documented so that this knowledge does not become extinct.

He said that local wisdom is generally more controlled by the elderly group and much is not known by the younger generation, so it needs to be documented as a legacy for the next generation in the future.

The team observed and recorded various efforts to utilize plant species by local indigenous peoples as an initial guide for further studies related to the potential for biodiversity on Batanta Island.

Batanta Island is one of the four major islands in Raja Ampat Regency, which is located about 34 kilometers west of Sorong City, West Papua Province.

Batanta Island has various types of ecosystems that are still very natural, ranging from coastal ecosystems, tropical rain forests, lowlands, to lower mountain forests at an altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level.

The western part of Batanta Island is a conservation area of the West Batanta Nature Reserve which functions for research activities and the protection of biodiversity and its ecosystem.