02 September 2024
Syafrijal S.Kom
SERGAI, This community service activity was carried out with the support of the University of North Sumatra through the Economic and Social program with funding sources from Non-PNBP USU in 2024 in collaboration with the Buluh Duri Mandiri BUMDes Apparatus (BUDUMA) and village officials as partners.
The Implementation Team has made an initial visit to discuss with the BUMDes Apparatus to identify the obstacles/barriers experienced by them in developing the potential of natural resource tourism into an Ecotourism Area, namely sustainable Rafting Ecotourism. This activity is one of the momentums to develop the potential of their social capital into tourism development which still requires a qualified institutional touch to encourage the community to become an independent community.
Currently, the Village Apparatus and BUMDes Management are still constrained in strengthening capacity in business governance through the development of social capital. Currently, the development of social capital is an alternative model that can increase tourism potential in a sustainable manner.
Village officials currently need increased capacity in carrying out alternative business activities that support sustainable ecotourism development, especially changes in mindset and behavior in serving outsiders who visit the village.
They were given an understanding of how to manage a village properly, through the concept of tourism through the introduction of ecotourism, through rafting tourism. The community's response was very enthusiastic considering that the role of village officials is still very much needed in the development of ecotourism.
They realized that the concept of ecotourism can encourage people to become tourism-aware groups that provide benefits for village development. Through the community service program for the Economic and Social program, the Implementation Team from the University of North Sumatra, which received support from the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of the University of North Sumatra, held the Utilization of Social Capital in the Empowerment of BUMDes BUDUMA in Buluh Duri Village.
This activity lasted for 2 days with Dr. Farid Aulia, S.Sos., M.Si as a resource person and also the Head of the Community Service Implementation Team for the Economic and Social Scheme of the University of North Sumatra who explained about the changes in the mindset and mentality of local communities in serving tourists enjoying rafting as part of the socio-economic life of the environment as well as being a source of income for village communities.
On this occasion, Dr. Farid Aulia, S.Sos, M.Si also hopes that in the future, ecotourism management activities, rafting management - this can strengthen governance by developing alternative sectors and become activities that benefit local communities, such as local communities can trade in food products, accessories, and several local commodities, such as in Bali, Jogja and other tourist areas in Indonesia, so that tourists always miss returning to travel to the area.
Furthermore, the training activities on the 2nd day were continued by Drs. Agustrisno, M.SP as the second resource person who provided technical guidance in religious ethos and customs as a basis for community empowerment.
On this occasion, Drs. Agustrisno, M.SP said that mapping village potential has advantages if it is integrated into sustainable village tourism program planning. Empowering communities to be independent, develop, self-reliant and strengthen bargaining of lower-class communities in all sectors of life.
Source: https://waspada.co.id/pemanfaatan-modal-sosial-dalam-pemberdayaan-bumdes-buduma-di-desa-buluh-duri/
