By: Syamsidar and Doni Susanto

The Batu Dinding Waterfall tourist attraction, Tanjung Belit Village, Kampar Kiri Hulu District was officially opened by the Head of the Kampar Regency Tourism Office, Riau, Ir. Syahrizal, MM last Saturday (26/08). On that occasion, the inauguration of the Tanjung Belit Village Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) and the declaration of the 300 ha Tanjung Belit customary forest were also held.

In his speech, Syahrizal expressed his appreciation for the development of tourism objects and emphasized that its success depends on the readiness of the community. Seeing the natural potential of Rimbang Baling, the Head of the Tourism Office said, "This is a natural potential that is very potential to be developed, especially for the people of Tanjung Belit Village and Kampar for the welfare of the community."

The day before, a traditional procession was held with the slaughter of one buffalo by the Tanjung Belit community component as a joint effort to pray for the smooth development of tourist attractions in their village. The activity began by herding a buffalo in the area around the location of the waterfall and then slaughtering the buffalo animal which was witnessed by the Head of Tanjung Belit Village, traditional and community leaders, and village officials and other partners.

The Head of Tanjung Belit Village, Efri Desmi, on this occasion said, "The slaughter of buffalo animals is a form or way we respect fellow creatures on earth, not shirk or anything." The buffalo head and a few other organs, such as the liver, heart, and lungs are wrapped in a shroud and buried in a hole that has been dug before and filled with soil at the location around the waterfall. The buffalo body parts were brought to the village to be cooked and eaten together the next day at the inauguration of the Batu Dinding Waterfall tourist attraction and the inauguration of the Tanjung Belit Pokdarwis as well as the declaration of the customary forest ban in the Tanjung Belit village.

The Kampar Tourism Head welcomed the initiative of the Tanjung Belit community to declare a customary prohibition forest in their village. "As long as it does not conflict with existing government regulations because this is a forest area, if we support each other it will be even better so there is no doubt because there are national regulations, especially in the Ministry of Forestry, which are supported by regulations at the lower levels such as village regulations," said Syahrizal.

The Batu Dinding Waterfall tourist attraction is located about 30 minutes by foot from the center of Tanjung Belit Village settlement. In recent years, this tourist attraction has been quite visited by the surrounding community and including the people of Pekanbaru City. This tourist attraction itself is included in the customary prohibition forest area of Tanjung Belit, which on this occasion was also proclaimed by the Tanjung Belit Village community. Previously, community leaders and traditional leaders of this village had made an agreement to map the customary prohibition forest in their village to maintain the surrounding ecosystem. At least 300 ha of forest area was identified as the village's customary prohibition forest, which will later be confirmed so that it can be understood by all parties. In addition to supporting the sustainability of the forest ecosystem so that the natural potential around is maintained, the existence of the customary prohibition forest can also later be developed into a tourist attraction.

Tanjung Belit Village, which is administratively located in the buffer zone of the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary, has a customary forest area around the conservation area and inside which has been traditionally managed by expressing local wisdom.

"Support from the local government is needed to develop a tourist attraction including its infrastructure," said Bustamir, a representative of community leaders, who attended the inauguration of the Pokdarwis. He also added, "The people of Tanjung Belit are ready to develop ecotourism in their village with the motto Hutan Terjaga, Ekowisata Berjaya, Masyarakat Sejahtera."

On this occasion, the Head of the Tourism Office and his entourage not only had the opportunity to see the potential of Batu Dinding Waterfall but also visited the WWF field station and WWF Freshwater Laboratory. These two facilities are indeed located not far from the location of the waterfall and are utilized for various tourism and educational activities.

Aquatic resources are inseparable from the existing tree vegetation because the trees around the area help maintain the balance of the aquatic ecosystem. The existing forest will help provide water reserves so that if there is a dry season, there will be no drought. Thus, the water source for waterfalls that become tourist attractions is maintained.