Forestalk 2.0 “Life on Land: Is Rotational Grazing a Saving Grace for Our Wildlife Ecosystem?"

Author: Agban Nur Urbani

On March 26, 2023, the Forestry Education Commission (FenC) IFSA LC UGM held a talk show, Forestalk 2.0 to create an open discourse on the topic of forestry. This year, Forestalk 2.0 raised the theme “Life on Land: Is Rotational Grazing a Saving Grace for Our Wildlife Ecosystem?”

Figure 1. The First Speaker: Mrs. Ir. Niken Aryati, MP., Head of P3SP DLHK DIY

Rotational Grazing is a system where a large pasture is divided into smaller paddocks allowing livestock to be moved from one paddock to the other easily. Although improvements in livestock performance in Rotational Grazing are primarily driven by improved forage production and quality, one highlighted that mismanaged rotational grazing can result in compromised forage quality and increasingly low-quality residuals. Its presence also has a negative impact on wildlife and ecosystems which can increase the loss of biodiversity. In the midst of the accompanying problems in the form of urgency and implementation of Rotational Grazing, public intelligence with a comprehensive understanding of these issues is important. Forestalk is here to see perspectives from various related elements regarding this matter.

Figure 1. The Second Speaker: Mr. Dr. Muhammad Ali Imran, S.Hut., M.Sc., Director of Forest and Wildlife Program, WWF Indonesia

Forestalk 2.0 was held offline by inviting 2 speakers, namely Mr. Dr. Muhammad Ali Imran, S.Hut., M.Sc. as Director of Forest and Wildlife Program at WWF Indonesia and Mrs. Ir. Niken Aryati, MP. as Head of P3SP DLHK DIY. The event was hosted by Dito Akbar as Master of Ceremony and Arnaya Khairi Rapul Hanisi as moderator. The event was divided into 5 sessions: opening, presentation, discussion, quiz, and closing. The event started at 3.50 PM with the opening by the MC, followed by remarks from the Project Officer, and the President of IFSA LC UGM. After that, a presentation from both speakers began, each followed by a discussion or question and answer (QnA) session. Then, the event presented a quiz session containing material from the speakers and several questions in general. The event ended with the announcement of the quiz winner and a group photo.

Forestalk 2.0 runs interactively with fairly high participant participation in discussion and quiz sessions. We hope that this event will produce an output in the form of the general public having enthusiasm and curiosity about forestry and environmental issues. FenC also provides a certificate of appreciation which can be accessed in the registration group and your email (if you have registered). All forms of suggestions and input will be accepted as a form of evaluation for the next FenC program. Thank you for participating in Forestalk 2.0!