Ecotourism-Based Management Model of Nantu Wildlife Reserve

Determination of an area as a conservation area often creates problems and conflicts between stakeholders and local communities. Ecotourism is a sustainable development concept that can bridge the interest of the government in conservation with the benefit of the local community in economic development. The purpose of this research was to develop a management model of Nantu Wildlife Reserve with ecotourism approach. Data collected using observations, interviews, literature studies, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and then analysed descriptively. Result showed that 1) Nantu Wildlife Reserve had a diversity of endemic flora and fauna and unique ecosystems which were potential as tourist objects and attractions, and 2) The ecotourism-based management model of Nantu Wildlife Reserve was able to unite the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural interests, it managed by local, national, regional and international interests with a networking system that involved local communities, relevant stakeholders, multi-skilled individuals, and local wisdom development to accommodate the interests of the community in regard to the principle of conservation, education and recreation, economics, community participation, and control.