The Impacts of Gunung Salak Endah Nature Tourism Activities on the Social and Economic Condition of the Community.

Abstract

Gunung Salak Endah (GSE) was a production and protection forest areas managed by Perum Perhutani prior to its establishment as Gunung Halimun Salak National Park in 2003. Its function change had brought some consequences on the social and economic conditions of the local communities. Analysis on these impacts was necesary to observe the benefits on the communities. The main objective of this research was to analyze the impacts of the area function change on the social and economic conditions of the local communities. The research was conducted at Gunung Bunder 2 Village and Gunung Sari Village. Interviews, questioners, and observation were used in the research methodology. As many as 100 households that were involved in tourism activities and 30 households that were not involved in tourism activities. Were interviewied result of the analysis showed that types of community trade and service were dominated by tourism service (84%) and 16% by tourism infrastructure. They involve at tourism trade and service which 70% by individual efforts; with intensity that always involve. 20% involved by tourism organized and involved by family. The function change into a protected area has increased the community awareness on the sustainability, totality and beauty of area. Effect of area function change to tourism exertion which been operated by communities include new restriction and construction of infrastructure. The service exertion of community and infrastructure still can operate in the areas. These tourism activities at GSE give some effect to social economic condition. There were positive impacts towards openness to stranger and funding, but negative impacts to the community social condition with demonstration effect to the teenage as the most appeal, social conflict, change of time work allocation, social activities and norm of decency reduction. The economic impacts that occurred in both villages were: the availability of job and trade opportunites, economic mobility and increasing of community income. Tourism activities has contributed an average of 62% to the household total income.