15 September 2025
Syafrijal S.Kom
Several lecturers from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at the University of North Sumatra (USU) held an Ecoprint training as a business opportunity for Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) women to support sustainable tourism in Sampe Raya Village, Bahorok District, Langkat Regency.
This activity aimed to improve the PKK women's skills in utilizing the environment, which boasts unique natural resources, both flora and fauna.
The training, attended by 20 participants, presented techniques for decorating fabrics, t-shirts, and other media using the natural patterns and colors of leaves, flowers, and other plant parts. The participants utilized leaves, flowers, and natural materials easily found around the Bahorok area. The USU Community Service Team, Dra. Roma Ayuni A. Loebis, MA, Prof. Wan Syaifuddin, MA, Ph.D., and Drs. Dirmansyah, M.Hum., explained that Ecoprinting not only has artistic value but also has significant economic potential.
"We want to equip the PKK women with new skills that can produce valuable products while preserving the environment. This aligns with the concept of sustainable tourism," explained the team leader. The training was also assisted by three USU students: Zaidan Irfan Iskandar (Faculty of Agriculture), Porkas Mangaraja Junjungan (Faculty of Animal Husbandry), and Anisah Dwi Melani (Faculty of Cultural Sciences).
Through this training, the community is expected to be able to produce creative products such as fabrics, bags, and clothing with ecoprint motifs that can become Bahorok's signature. This way, tourists visiting Bukit Lawang will not only enjoy the natural beauty and orangutans but also be able to take home unique local products.
The head of the PKK in Sampe Raya Village, Sri Sembiring, SE, welcomed this dedication by the USU lecturers. "We are very grateful to the Community Service Team for sharing their knowledge and hope that training like this will continue so that the community can gain additional skills and support the growth of an environmentally friendly tourism-based economy," she said.
This activity is one form of contribution from higher education institutions in encouraging community empowerment while strengthening Bahorok's image as a sustainable tourism destination.
