PASKALIS BOKO, HIS BEST FRIEND AND THE PIG-SNOUTED TORTOISE (KKMB)
It was 9 p.m. in the small and peaceful village of Mumugu I, in Sawerma District, Asmat Regency, in early September 2021. That night, the sky was colored with a soft glow as the moon hung high in the sky, casting its silvery light across the landscape and illuminating the surroundings with its mystical glow.
Amidst the serene atmosphere, Paskalis Boko, commonly called Boko, and three of his friends were busy preparing themselves in their respective bivouacs. Bivouacs, unique to the Asmat people, are traditional huts built from natural materials sourced from the forest. Bivouacs serve as temporary shelters for those who go out to gather food and resources. The three companions of Boko have their own spaces, designed in such a way as to blend in with the natural environment.
Each person is focused on the task at hand, eager to embark on an expedition to find dinner. Venturing into the wilderness takes a lot of anticipation, but familiarity is evident as Boko and his companions make preparations.
After thirty minutes of chatting and laughing, it was time to begin their adventure. Boko and his friends walked to the riverbank where they saw a small motorboat. It was safely moored at a traditional dock, its wooden planks looking worn with time.
With a sense of excitement, Boko and his friends climbed into the boat and began their night expedition. The night's mission was to monitor the activities of the pig-snouted tortoise that made the Fai River its habitat. They wanted to observe the turtle as it surfaced under the moonlight. Thus, they explored the river from dusk to dawn.
The friends were united in their enthusiasm, looking forward to the adventures they would have in the calm and serene atmosphere of the river, where nature would reveal its secrets under the starry sky.
The pig-snouted tortoise (called KKMB) is a protected species due to its vulnerable status and is commonly found in the Asmat region. The Mumugu I community, a group deeply attached to their ancestral heritage, has taken the initiative to diligently monitor not only the Hog-snouted Tortoise but also various other natural resources within the dense forest area around Kali Fai. This commitment to conservation has been a long-standing tradition, passed down from generation to generation, which highlights the deep respect the community has for the environment and its surroundings.
Kali Fai is an important tributary to two major rivers located in Asmat Regency, specifically the Lorentz River and the Betz River. Like other rivers that flow in the Asmat region, Kali Fai plays an important role as a transportation route for the local population, facilitating the movement of goods and people via motorboats. This aspect of its function is particularly important, given the often challenging terrain and limited infrastructure in the region.
This comprehensive monitoring activity begins with careful observation of natural changes that could affect the habitat, such as potential flooding or the timing of the fruit season. These observations are important because they help communities anticipate ecosystem changes that could affect sea turtles. In addition, the monitoring process involves tracking the movements of mother turtles and inspecting MPA nests to determine if they contain eggs.
By carefully examining such important indicators, communities can gather vital data on the reproductive patterns and overall health of the pig-snouted turtle population, thus ensuring the sustainability of their habitat in the Fai River region for generations to come.
The current initiative led by Boko and the local community deserves the attention and support it deserves from a wide range of stakeholders, given the potential benefits that such initiatives can bring to society as a whole.
Furthermore, there is a need for a formal policy framework that outlines the processes and mechanisms for utilizing MPAs as a viable source of economic income for residents. In the absence of such regulations, communities lack direction on how to effectively utilize these resources, hindering their ability to achieve sustainable economic growth and development. This situation demands urgent action and collaboration among various parties to ensure that community efforts are adequately recognized and supported.