COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM FOR NATURAL CONSERVATION IN POHSANTEN VILLAGE IN BALI

This article discusses the role of tourism in conserving the natural environment in Pohsanten village, Jembrana regency, Bali province in Indonesia. It is developed based on review of publications, observation and direct participation during a community-based tourism (CBT) development and a trekking route development. The trekking to the waterfall is used as a main attraction by Pohsanten CBT. Mesehe waterfall trekking reinforces forest conservation as it is incorporated re-forestation; potentially creates additional work opportunities for locals, hence, a sustainable source of income; and tourism activities in the forest prevent illegal actions conducted in the forest that damage the environment. Thus, Mesehe waterfall trekking is an inclusive activity of conservation and business combined. It is expected that this article could enrich academic discourse on natural tourism and conservation, particularly involving CBT that use natural environment as attraction.

The agriculture revolution was started about 8000 years ago wherein human transitioned from hunters and gatherers to farmers and livestock breeders (Climate and Land Use Alliance, 2014). During this transition, the natural environment has been changed which include clearing forest in which 71% of global deforestation was carried out for commercial agriculture to supply the current 7 billion of the world population. It is predicted, in 2050 the world population will reach 9 billion, and with the current consumption pattern, 60% more foods will be needed to sustain. It is further discussed that the current patter of forest clearing for commercial purposed needs to be changed to conserve the much needed forest for the sustainability of living on earth. Shifting the commodity production from native forest and recognizing the right of the indigenous people and rural communities to manage the forest. It is also expected that farmers, local governments, local communities, and agricultural commodity traders collaborate to avoid deforestation and produce more efficiently.
In order to foster local people to manage the forest effectively, a mechanism need to be devised and put in place. A sustainable tourism development could become an effective tool which could function as an additional occupation and income source for locals and could also be used as a monitoring mechanism for the sustainable use of forest. Community-based tourism is a form of sustainable tourism that empowers local community. Butcher (2012) Weaver (2012) argue that CBT emphasises community participation, and is often related to conservation of the immediate natural environment. Fennell (2015, p. 101) posits a conservation model wherein local people are actively involved and gain benefits from a conservation project. He further discusses an ideal ecotourism, stating '… ecotourism, if developed and managed appropriately, can generate more revenue…'. Nonetheless, Novelli and Gebahardt (2007) are cautious in regards to the number of visitors and state that a growth number does not always lead to more benefits for the local community. This supports the idea of small scale principle in alternative tourism and CBT.
CBT development should observe the principle of Sustainable tourism. Lu and Nepal (2009) argue that Sustainable tourism attempts to manage resources for economic, social and aesthetic needs to be satisfied, while at the same time maintaining the cultural integrity, the biological diversity and the vital ecological processes. Thus, Journal of Applied Sciences in Travel and Hospitality Volume 2, Number 1, March 2019 nature conservation includes protecting bio diversity and ecological processes, which should be adhered in operating tourism.
Community-based tourism is a form of Alternative tourism which highlights local community involvement during planning and operation of the CBT project development. Brohman (1996) explored the active participation of host communities during the planning stage. Community participation during planning ensures their interest is represented in the development project. Community members to have a clear idea about sustainable tourism will assist during planning and operation, therefore, the community could utilize the nature and the wilderness as resources in a sustainable manner.
Community-based tourism could use natural environment and or traditional culture as main attractions (Ernawati, Sanders, Dowling, 2017). Natural environment as tourist attraction is related to Nature Tourism including Eco-tourism (Denman, 2001).
Wearing and Neil (2003)  This place could be a terminal point for amateur trekkers. Simply enjoy the quietness of the forest with only the sound of river flow that shoots our mind. The river itself has ample of slate stones big and small along the river which could serve as resting area, and a picnic place for a small group of friends or family. Tourist activities of the area could include: river gazing and bathing, tasting the stone baked sweet potatoes served with coffee.