Rosa's Ecolodge

I reached the village of Sidomulyo in early afternoon by bus. The village, on the outskirts of Baluran National Park, is located in the NE corner of East Java and is home to the friendly Rosa’s Ecolodge. While most of Indonesia’s national parks consist of a rainforest environment, the Baluran NP is different in this aspect as it is savanna. The park’s fitting nickname is “Indonesia’s little bit of Africa.” Stepping off the bus I meet up with Rizal, one of the administrators of Rosa’s, who takes me on a short ride through the traditional Madurese village that skirts the park to reach the ecolodge. The cottages and main house are built in a Madurese inspired traditional style and the owners are the sociable Rosa and Rene, retirees who have expanded their house into an eco education lodge.

Though the place is small, only 8 rooms (so reserve in advance during the busy season), Rosa’s provides a very homey atmosphere. After speaking with them, it’s easy to see the owner’s dedication and concern for the surrounding area, both the park and local residents. The problems the park faces is sadly similar to other parks, illegal logging, poaching, and fishing using explosives and cyanide. The local community consists mostly of farmers who feel justified in taking the resources they need from their local environment, which they feel includes the national park. The hope of Rosa and her husband was to use the benefits of ecotourism to protect the park and develop the local community to prevent misuse of the national park. As I talk with them, I hear first hand many of the problems they face.

While Rosa and her husband’s intentions to help the park and the local area are genuine, they are struggling with “how” to make a difference. How does one stop people from just going and taking what they need from the park? How does one get locals, and park officials, to see the value of the park and to take care of it? How does one motivate villagers who are lethargic about hosting visitors? How does one train locals to take on more advanced responsibilities? And how does one find the energy to keep going?

While many villagers are set in their ways, Rosa’s Ecolodge hopes to change attitudes through education, especially by bringing awareness to the local children. All education projects are self funded from the lodge’s revenues, and include hiring rangers to speak at local schools, and taking local kids to the park’s main headquarters, about 22km away, to speak with rangers. While this environmental education center is at a smaller scale than the previous centers I visited in East Java, PPLH and Kaliandra, Rosa’s Ecolodge is working to make a difference in an area where there is little other involvement.

(Rice fields near the park)

While maybe not a “true” ecolodge, as the needs of her visitors do not always mesh with environmental sustainability, Rosa’s is certainly a comfortable place to stay with easy access to the park and a place where you know a portion of the room rates will be going back to aid the local community in various ways. Currently, Rosa is looking for an NGO, or motivated volunteers, to help in her mission to prevent damage to the park and enhance the local community.

To see Rosa’s webpage: http://www.rosasecolodge.com/