In the Osing traditional area, especially in Glagah District (Kemiren Village, Olehsari Village, Kampunganyar Village and Glagah Village) and Licin District (Banjar Village), the existence of water sources has experienced degradation both ecologically and culturally.
Many resources are losing their carrying capacity due to land conversion, the decline of natural vegetation, and the loss of traditional rituals that have been essential to maintaining the resources spiritually and socially. Furthermore, community knowledge—especially of the younger generation—of the resources' cultural and ecological values is fading, weakening the community's ability to protect their customary territories. This situation is exacerbated by the state's suboptimal role in supporting community-based conservation practices.
"NGERUMAT SUMBER" uses an integrative approach between ecological rehabilitation and cultural revitalization. By involving indigenous communities, especially the younger generation, this program restores the physical water sources, revives traditional rituals, and documents and disseminates local knowledge. Thus, sustainable conservation is not merely technical but also supported by the cultural and spiritual values that have long been the primary strengths of the Osing indigenous community.
