Crown Princess Victoria praises Karang Bajo’s environmental wisdom

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4 hours ago

Lombok Utara, NTB (ANTARA) – Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden praised the wisdom of the indigenous community in Karang Bajo Village, Bayan, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), for their efforts to preserve forests, water sources, and cultural heritage.

During her visit as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador on Sunday, Crown Princess Victoria observed firsthand the lives of the indigenous community and how they maintain a balance between nature, culture, and community life.

Crown Princess Victoria visited the Mandala Spring area, located within the customary forest, and participated in a tree-planting activity. She also engaged in dialogue with community members about the local knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations.

The experience left a deep impression on Crown Princess Victoria. She commended the community for preserving nature while simultaneously maintaining local knowledge as a legacy for future generations.

“What you are doing here is vital, not only for the community’s way of life but also for efforts to conserve existing natural resources,” she said during the dialogue session with residents.

“Hearing about the local knowledge and wisdom being passed on to future generations is incredibly important,” she added.

Crown Princess Victoria was accompanied by the Governor of NTB, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal; the Deputy Head of the District of North Lombok, Kusmalahadi Syamsuri; the Head of the North Lombok Tourism Office; and a UNDP delegation during the visit.

“I am deeply touched and honored to be part of the community here. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly and accepting me as part of the local culture,” Crown Princess Victoria said.

For the people of Karang Bajo, nature conservation is not merely an environmental agenda. Forests, springs, and traditions are all interconnected parts of their way of life. Those values are upheld through customary institutions and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

Nikrana, traditional leader of Karang Bajo, stated that the indigenous community holds a philosophy that regards the Earth as a mother who must be respected and protected.

The principle is reflected in the various rules, processions, and traditions that govern the relationship between humans and nature.

“The relationship between indigenous communities and nature and the forest remains a vital part of life for the Bayan indigenous people to this day,” he said.

The Bayan region is home to four customary forest areas containing at least 27 springs.

The water sources are essential to the community’s livelihood, serving needs such as clean water and agriculture.

Consequently, preserving the forest means safeguarding the sustainability of the community’s lifeblood.

Karang Bajo is both a traditional village and a tourism village that preserves the way of life and traditions of the Bayan people.

These attributes make Karang Bajo not merely a tourist destination, but a living space where culture, nature, and the community thrive side by side.