Nestled on the edge of Lake Toba, Tipang Village tells an inspiring story of balance between sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism. Covering an area of 512 hectares in Bakti Raja District, Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra, this village serves as a model of agroforestry practices that support both the environment and the local economy.

Agroforestry in Tipang

Tipang Village’s agricultural system focuses on a layered agroforestry approach, known locally as “Food Forestry”. This system combines various food crops in one area, creating a resilient environment where plants thrive together. Coffee plants—both Arabica and Robusta—flourish under the shade of protective trees like sugar palms, candlenuts, durians, bananas, cocoa, papayas, and ingul trees. These trees not only provide shade but also play a crucial role in maintaining soil moisture, improving crop resilience to extreme weather.

Local farmer Patar Manalu cultivates coffee in this sustainable system. With organic fertilizers sourced from nearby materials such as banana stems, branches, leaves, and chicken manure, he keeps production costs to a minimum whilst producing high-quality coffee. Patar can harvest his coffee weekly, selling it for around Rp20,000 per liter of dried beans. This sustainable method reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers, whilst contributing to soil health and crop quality.

The ingul tree, an integral part of Batak Toba community life. Photo: Barita News Lumbanbatu.

Agroforestry here is not just about farming; it is a climate solution. According to Oding Affandi, a forestry expert from the University of North Sumatra, agroforestry creates microclimates that protect plants from excessive heat and strong winds. Trees in this system absorb large amounts of carbon, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions, making Tipang Village a potential climate action model.

A Village Shaped by Sustainable Tourism

Tipang’s sustainable practices extend beyond farming. The village’s natural beauty, complemented by tourist attractions like Sigota-gota Waterfall, has earned it a spot in the top 50 nominees for the 2021 Anugerah Desa Wisata (ADWI) award by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Patar Manalu and the Simak Pandan Nauli tourism group promote community-based tourism. The group, made up of 10 local members, works together to create eco-friendly tourism experiences while preserving the environment.

“We develop tourism that benefits all residents. We keep our environment clean and avoid cutting down trees that serve as habitats for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.” Patar says.

Patar Manalu showcases his agroforestry coffee plantation in Tipang Village, Bakti Raja District, Humbang Hasundutan [Humbahas], North Sumatra. Photo: Barita News Lumbanbatu.

Conserving With Local Traditions

Tipang Village also practices the ancient Sihali Aek tradition, a water management system that has preserved local resources for hundreds of years. This cooperative system ensures equal water distribution, crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity even in periods of low rainfall. By using traditional irrigation and shade trees to maintain soil moisture, Tipang minimizes its impact on the local ecosystem, strengthening its resilience to climate change.

Local visitors can enjoy coffee and the beautiful scenery of Tipang Village, located around Lake Toba. Photo: Barita News Lumbanbatu.

Lake Toba’s National and Global Significance

Lake Toba has been designated as one of Indonesia’s 15 National Priority Lakes and is recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its value for conservation and sustainable development. According to the Hariara Institute, a local environmental NGO, forest-based agriculture, such as the agroforestry practices in Tipang, supports biodiversity far better than monoculture systems.

“Lake Toba’s ecosystem has the potential to become a leading example of sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism in Indonesia” says Wilson Nainggolan from the Hariara Institute.

However, the Institute emphasizes that these efforts require support from government policies, research institutions, and the active participation of local communities to create lasting impact.

Lake Toba, which needs restoration from damage and pollution. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Viral88toto/CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sustainable Tourism: A Path to Long-Term Benefits

The integration of agriculture, eco-tourism, and traditional conservation practices in Tipang Village embodies the principles of sustainable development. Research on sustainable tourism highlights the importance of approaches that combine economic, social, and environmental dimensions to achieve long-lasting benefits. A collaborative effort between government policies, private sector support, and local communities can help protect natural resources while bringing economic benefits to the area.

As Lake Toba gains recognition for its ecological significance, Tipang Village shines as a promising model of conservation and sustainability. This village offers a glimpse into the future of rural areas that prioritize environmental health while providing for their people, reinforcing the idea that sustainable practices are both practical and essential.

For conservationists and eco-conscious travelers, Tipang Village offers a living example of how agroforestry and eco-tourism can coexist in harmony with nature, paving the way for sustainable rural development in Indonesia and beyond.

Swarno Lumbangaol’s Mission to Protect Lake Toba’s Endemic Mahseer Fish

admin — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 14:55:23 +0000

Swarno Lumbangaol, a tourism master’s graduate, returned to his hometown of Bakkara Village after 20 years of teaching in Aceh, North Sumatra, to continue his family’s fish farming tradition.
He now focuses on cultivating a rare species of mahseer fish, called Ihan (Neolissochilus thienemann), which is endemic to Lake Toba and has a declining population.
Swarno’s efforts in preserving Ihan have been supported by the Fisheries Department, and he has showcased his conservation work at the North Sumatra Fair attended by President Joko Widodo.
In addition to fish farming, Swarno also cultivates Azolla (Mosquito ferns), an aquatic plant used to feed the fish, and aims to preserve the cultural significance of Ihan in Batak rituals and traditions.

Preserving Lake Toba’s Unique Ecosystem

Swarno Lumbangaol, a master’s graduate in tourism from a private university in Medan, North Sumatra, has returned home to preserve the cultural and environmental heritage of Lake Toba. After spending over 20 years as an educator in the cities of Meulaboh and Nagan Raya, Aceh province, North Sumatra. Swarno chose to come back to his hometown, Bakkara Village, with a mission to continue his family’s traditional fish farming practices.

Swarno Lumbangaol on his land where he cultivates Mahseer, a type of fish endemic to the waters of Lake Toba. Photo by Barita News Lambanbatu.

Swarno wanted to continue his family’s tradition of fish farming in ponds. In the past, his grandfather raised carp, and his father raised tilapia and mujair (another type of tilapia) in the pond beside their house.

Swarno chose to cultivate a species of mahseer, called Ihan (Neolissochilus thienemann), which is ray-finned fish belonging to the Cyrpinidae (carp) family. Ihan is endemic to Lake Toba and is becoming increasingly rare due to environmental disturbances.

Swarno sources the Ihan fry from rivers around Humbang Hasundutan and Samosir. With three levels of ponds established on his property, Swarno makes use of Bakkara’s natural water sources and rocky terrain to create an ideal environment for the fish.

Azolla Bed on the Water surface. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The Fisheries Department has recognized Swarno’s efforts in conserving Ihan and has supported his initiatives. Swarno introduced the unique fish at the North Sumatra Fair in Humbang Hasundutan, an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and attended by President Joko Widodo.

In addition to cultivating Ihan, Swarno cultivates Azolla (Mosquito Ferns), an aquatic plant that serves as a food source for the fish. Azolla is a type of fern that floats on water. It is commonly found in flooded areas or rice fields, with a size of 1.5-2.5 centimetres. The small leaves overlap each other, with a greenish-red surface. Swarno also works as a local tour guide in his spare time.

About the Ihan Fish

Ihan is a protected species with full conservation status, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ Decree No. 1/2021.

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) describes Ihan as having a long, flattened body with a silvery colour. Ihan fish swim against strong river currents, resulting in a dense bone texture. The fish can also be characterised by 10 scales in front of the dorsal fin and 26 scales along the lateral line.

A local man holding an Ihan fish. Photo by Barita News Lumanbatu.

The endemic fish is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and shows a decreasing population trend, with only 5,000-10,000 individuals remaining.

Similar fish of the genus Tor and N. Sumatranus can be found within Lake Toba, but their populations are also declining. Fish within the genus Tor are known locally as ‘Jurung’ (mahseer in English).

‘There are indeed similarities between Ihan and other mahseer fish, but the difference lies in the shape of the lower snout and the eyes,’ said Swarno.

Preserving Toba Batak Culture

In local Batak culture, Ihan holds significant traditional value and plays a crucial role in sacred rituals. Historically, the fish was a delicacy for the kings of ancient Batak kingdoms and was offered to God (Mula Jadi Na Bolon) during traditional ceremonies. Another name for the fish in local Batak Ethnic language is ‘Ihan Batak’ or ‘Ikan Dewa’ (Gods fish).

The Ihan fish is believed to bring blessings of good health, prosperity, and many descendants. In Batak weddings, an Ihan dish is given to the bride’s family as a reciprocal offering to seek divine blessings, known as “tudu-tudu sipanganon”.

Ihan is cooked in a distinctive way during Batak traditional ceremonies. The dish, called ‘Arsik’, consists of traditional Batak flavours including torch ginger fruit (asam cikala) and andaliman (which only grows in the Batak highlands).

Carp Arsik, a spicy fish dish of Batak cuisine, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The traditional dish is gradually disappearing due to the rarity of Ihan. Another species of carp, introduced by the Dutch during the colonial period, is replacing the Ihan fish in many ceremonies.

Swarno Lumbangaol’s dedication to preserving Ihan highlights the intersection of cultural heritage and environmental conservation. His efforts contribute significantly to the conservation of Lake Toba’s unique ecosystem and the revival of traditional Batak practices.

To learn more about conservation efforts and support initiatives like Swarno Lumbangaol’s, visit Hariara Institute’s website and explore how you can contribute to preserving Lake Toba’s natural and cultural heritage.

#BatakCulture – Hariara Institute