GAMAWANA is a combination of the MATALA Community and WANACALA Lampung, a community of young people who share the same views in environmental conservation, especially in strengthening local communities in efforts to restore the ecological function of forests with an environmentally based approach. Natural improvement work is the main priority of both communities, especially in sustainable forest management in the buffer zone in Way Kalam, at the foot of Mount Rajabasa.

Buffer areas are important areas in maintaining the balance of forest ecosystems and natural resources because they are transition areas between protected areas and areas used for human activities. Since 2014, 22 Way Pisang buffer villages have received Village Forest Work Area Determination (PAK) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The preparation of participatory spatial planning is deemed necessary as a basis for planning better land use and ensuring the sustainability of forest ecosystems.

Based on this condition, GAMAWANA initiated the program “Preparation of Spatial Planning and Sustainable Land Management of Village Forests through Participatory Mapping in the Village Forest Community Management Area in LPHD Way Kalam, Penengahan Register 3 Gunung Rajabasa, South Lampung” with the support of Direct Funding from Nusantara Fund. This program is also to form a shared understanding of the governance of the Gunung Rajabasa Protected Forest area Register 3, which is a protected land that cannot be traded or opened without permission from the UPTD KPH Way Pisang. Way Kalam Village, Penengahan, South Lampung is one of 22 buffer villages of Way Pisang that has received the Determination of the Village Forest Work Area (PAK) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The program runs from February to July 2024 with a focus on participatory mapping of the Management Area and sustainable land management planning. Includes five main stages; (1) Consolidation and Coordination with Parties (KPH Way Pisang and LPHD) Socialization of activities; (2) Participatory mapping training; (3) Implementation - data processing - creation of maps of the LPHD Way Kalam Management Area (4) Public Consultation, and signing of the map.

Participatory mapping training was held in April 2024 and was attended by 35 participants consisting of LPHD administrators, village officials, and members of the Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS). The training was designed to equip participants with technical skills in the use of GPS and other mapping tools, as well as provide an understanding of the importance of maps in sustainable forest area management.

The mapping was carried out in stages by involving all related parties. The local community, with technical assistance from the GIS TEAM, managed to collect field data and process it into a map of the Way Kalam LPHD Management Area, polygons (marked with stakes) and plots (cultivated by each member). The data collected also includes natural boundaries, biodiversity, and regional character. By the end of July 2024, the GAMAWANA team had successfully completed all stages of the mapping.

To realize the understanding of the management of the management area in the Register 3 Gunung Rajabasa Protected Forest Area, the Matala and Wanacala Community Association (GAMAWANA) Lampung conducted a public consultation with the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD), village officials, nature lovers groups, and related stakeholders. The activity was intended to verify the map, provide information on the objectives of village forest management, mapping the area of ​​management, and planning governance. In this activity, the polygon map and plot of the LPHD Way Kalam management area were agreed upon and ratified by the village officials and KPH Way Pisang. The map will then become the main reference in spatial planning and management of Way Kalam Village Forest.

Through this program, the community not only gains technical skills in participatory mapping and a deeper understanding of their managed areas. Full community involvement in map preparation also strengthens solidarity and a sense of ownership of their area. The map of the Way Kalam LPHD managed area is agreed to be the basis for planning wiser land use to ensure the sustainability of the forest ecosystem that supports the lives of the people in Way Kalam Village and its surroundings.