Ecotourism Management Based on Local Wisdom in Tenganan Village, Karangasem Bali

Abstract

One of tourist village object that relied on its natural potential was Tenganan Village, Karangasem. This village which is inhabited by the Bali Aga people had local wisdom in preserving the environment as a local ecotourism. This paper discusses: (1) What kinds of local wisdom underlies ecotourism management in Tenganan Village ?; (2) How far can ecotourism management in Tenganan Village be able to support the sustainable tourism? As a qualitative study, research data were obtained through observation, literature study, and in-depth interviews with 8 informants, namely Balinese cultural tourism observers and customary interpreters of Tenganan Village. The results of the study showed that: First, the local wisdom owned by indigenous people in Tenganan Village was in the written customary law, namely awig-awig which is used to preserve local tourism forests by not damaging the potential of flora and fauna at forest, and utilizing forest products in an adaptive manner. The implementation of awig-awig in the tourism forests management had positive implications for the diversity of spatial planning and the Tenganan forest preservation. Second, ecotourism management accompanied by efforts to preserve local village forests was able to support the sustainable tourism, namely development that ensured economic sustainability, ecological sustainability, and the socio-cultural viability of the local community. Local wisdom (awig-awig) that was able to support the sustainability of tourism development needs to be maintained.