Gunung Walat, Sukabumi – Field practice of students from University of Putra Malaysia (UPM) had been conducted from 2 March through 16 April 2013 in GWUF.
Two students (namely Farah Almira & Roslinda) from UPM who followed this field practice were from semester 8 of Faculty of Forestry, Study Program of Wood Science and Technology (Biocomposite), University of Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Their presence in Gunung Walat University Forest (GWUF) was a part of cooperation program between Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand (MIT), while Bogor Agricultural University also joined this program. MIT was a program of student exchange between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, where each country exchanged and sent its students to other countries for 2 months to conduct field practice.
Theme being adopted in this field practice was collection and processing of Agathis loranthifolia and Pinus merkusii resin in GWUF.
During the field practice, they were guided academically by Dr. Gunawan Santosa who was also Director of Forest Resources Utilization in GWUF. Dr. Gunawan is an expert of forest tree resin, particularly agathis and pine inside and outside the territory of GWUF. They studied the techniques of resin tapping with quare and boring method, compared the stimulants being used, studied the life history of the trees, and others.
They also collected resin samples to be analyzed in laboratory of Department of Forest Products, Faculty of Forestry, IPB. For enriching their knowledge concerning resin, they also conducted comparative study in Perhutani Unit III in Bandung (state owned forestry company) to learn the products derived from pine resin by watching the process from the beginning to the end.
They also studied the social aspects of people community around the forest in relation with the importance of GWUF existence for local people and learning the economic impact from resin tapping activities . During their stay in GWUF, the also acted as guide for GWUF visitors such as students of elementary schools and high schools who conducted tourism on the basis of environmental education in GWUF.
“Besides learning the resin tapping, we also conduct recreation of environment education here “, said Roslinda.
“During two months time we explore everything in Gunung Walat as one example of man made forest derived from bare land, and this transformation is an extraordinary achievement . This is a good opportunity for us“, added Farah Almira.
[hap]
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