27 Years of Forest Orchid Conservation in South Sulawesi

In Campaga Village, Tompobulu District, Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, a community group named Mattiro Baji has been diligently conserving Campaga forest orchids for 27 years. Founded in 1997, the group consists of 30 members. For years, they have focused on propagating orchids vegetatively through methods like stem cuttings, where offshoots or branches are separated from the main stem or pseudobulbs. A single parent plant can yield up to 50 offspring. These seedlings are then transplanted into containers made from coconut husks and placed on shady trees such as rambutan, langsat, and cloves. The orchids grow well during the rainy season and typically bloom as the dry season approaches. Initially, group members collected orchids from Campaga Forest for personal cultivation or sale, an endeavor that could provide an income of millions of rupiah per month. However, they soon realized that the orchid population in the forest was dwindling, especially the Phalaenopsis species. "We haven't taken orchids from the forest for three years now," said Muhammad Asri, the Chairman of the Mattiro Baji Farmer Group. The group is now actively returning orchids to their natural habitat. Approximately 1,500 seedlings have been replanted in Campaga Forest. Orchids are also being attached to trees along village roads and in the Erbol bathing tourist area. The 23-hectare Campaga Forest is considered sacred by the local community. This forest is home to various types of orchids, the ancient banyan tree "Erasa Lego-lego," and the Tombolo spring. Its existence also maintains the water supply for hundreds of hectares of rice fields and plantations in the surrounding areas. Orchid propagation is centralized in a 10x12 meter greenhouse. This facility houses approximately 78...