Malay Community Wisdom for Conserving Catchment Areas of Hydroelectric Power Plant Reservoirs

A catchment area is a piece of land that receives, stores, and channels water to its surrounding places. This research was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024 and aims to determine the cultural potential and local wisdom of the Malay community in the catchment area of Koto Panjang Hydroelectric Reservoir (KPHR) in Kampar Regency, Indonesia. Data was collected through interviews and observation. Information was provided by KPHR employees, regional government organizations, community leaders, traditional leaders, farmers, laborers, and other members of society. The questions referred to local community wisdom and policies for protecting the catchment area, as well as ecological, socio-economic, and cultural aspects. Some aspects of the mindset and livelihood patterns of the residents of KPHR catchment area seem to be in synergy with the presence and functioning of this reservoir catchment area. These include small-scale agricultural patterns, simple lifestyles, fire-free agriculture, perennial crop cultivation, river and reservoir fishermen, the Islamic and the Malay cultural perspective, and the existence of tourism awareness groups. Thus, local wisdom needs to be empowered through integrated agriculture, increasing the efficiency of resource use, and introducing field-friendly technology.

Community-based conservation · hydroelectric reservoirs · Kampar Regency · livelihood patterns · local wisdom · Malay community · traditional ecological knowledge · Archaeology and Natural History · Community-based Tourism Development and Sustainability · Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia