THE ROLE OF CONSERVATION EDUCATION IN THE DAYAK INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF ENSAID PANJANG VILLAGE, SINTANG REGENCY, WEST KALIMANTAN PROVINCE

Abstract

Indigenous Dayak communities in Ensaid Panjang Village, Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan, depend on forests as the foundation of their livelihood, culture, and identity. This research aims to identify key variables influencing the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the Dayak Indigenous People toward conservation education, and analyze stakeholder collaboration roles in supporting community-based conservation education in Ensaid Panjang Village. Data will be collected through field observation, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and literature review. Analytical tools such as MICMAC will be applied to determine key influencing variables, while MACTOR will be used to map stakeholder relationships and strategic objectives. Preliminary findings are expected to reveal that local wisdom, the role of traditional institutions, youth and women participation, and access to environmental information are key determinants of conservation awareness. Conservation education rooted in cultural values can effectively strengthen the adaptive capacity of Indigenous communities in forest management. The proposed community-based and culturally sensitive model of non-formal conservation education can serve as a strategic framework for policymakers, NGOs, and academic institutions to enhance environmental awareness, cultural preservation, and sustainable ecotourism development in Indigenous territories.