By: Sri Jimmy

Sendawar, April 7, 2017. As mandated by Law No.5 of 1990 concerning biodiversity and ecosystems and based on Government Regulation No.7 of 1999, the Mahakam dolphin is a protected species. Another thing, the International Conservation Agency IUCN (International United of Conservation Nature and Natural Resources) has determined the Mahakam Pesut to be included in the category of critically endangered species.

In making conservation efforts, the participation of the community around the original habitat of the Mahakam Pesut in the Muara Pahu and Penyinggahan areas is needed. For this reason, WWF Indonesia in collaboration with the Muara Pahu and Penyinggahan Sub-district Offices conducted training and socialization activities for Mahakam Pesut Conservation in Muara Pahu Sub-district involving 4 villages (Muara Baroh, Sebelang, Tanjung Laong and Teluk Tempudau), MTs Muara Pahu, Customary Institutions and 3 villages (Penyinggahan Ulu, Penyinggahan Ilir and Minta), SMAN 1 Penyinggahan, SMPN 2 Penyinggahan which were the target of this socialization activity. A total of 85 people attended this activity which was carried out in 2 separate places in Muara Pahu and Penyinggahan on April 5-6, 2017.

The purpose of this activity is to convey information about the Mahakam dolphin and challenges in its conservation as well as to increase knowledge, awareness and encourage active participation from the community so that in the end efforts to conserve and utilize the Mahakam dolphin conservation area can help the community to be independent in environmental conservation and creative economy that supports sustainable development in the region.

H. Asrin Surianto, S.Ag, Secretary of Muara Pahu Sub-District, in his speech when opening the implementation of the activity said that environmental conservation efforts, in this case the Mahakam Pesut, are the collaboration of all parties and cross-sectors that are integrated with each other and supported by active participation from the people who live around the Pesut habitat. "The Mahakam dolphin is an icon of East Kalimantan Province and also a natural asset in Muara Pahu Subdistrict so that cooperation is needed in its preservation so that it does not disappear in nature and only a memory in the form of a statue," he said.

This is in line with the statement of Dirna, SE from Penyinggahan Subdistrict who stated that humans and Pesut can coexist because humans and Pesut are both living creatures created by God who need clean rivers (water) and fish in their lives. He further stated "preserving the habitat of Pesut in the Mahakam River is also helping to preserve and maintain the Mahakam River, the source of water and fish used by us to meet the needs of life."

This activity was welcomed well and enthusiastically by the participants who participated in the activity by asking questions, providing input or suggestions for future Mahakam dolphin conservation efforts in the Muara Pahu and Penyinggahan areas, which are two sub-districts on the banks of the Mahakam River which are the natural habitat of Mahakam dolphins in West Kutai.