The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the global average temperature is expected to rise by 1.5°C by 2025 compared to the 1900s. One of the contributing factors is deforestation. In Indonesia, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the area of Indonesia’s forests decreased by 956,258 hectares (0.5% of the total land area) between 2017 and 2021. One example of successful conservation is Wonosadi Forest in Gunungkidul, which has been restored thanks to community awareness and the oral tradition of Sadranan Wonosadi.
Wonosadi Forest is a forest located in Duren Hamlet, Semin District, Gunungkidul Regency. It is classified as SG (Sultan Ground) and functions as a protected forest that safeguards life support systems. In 1960, Wonosadi Forest experienced massive deforestation due to the ideological shift of the PKI. Currently, thanks to the Sadranan oral tradition, the community has successfully restored the forest’s sustainability.
An important oral tradition in the conservation of Wonosadi Forest is the will of Ki Onggoloco, which states that:
- Wonosadi Forest must be preserved for the prosperity of future generations.
- This forest contains many medicinal plants.
- The Sadranan ritual is held annually to strengthen social bonds.
According to Muhammad Lodhi Firmansyah (Cultural Anthropology, 2023), “We are conducting research on the Sadranan tradition as a collective awareness to preserve Wonosadi Forest from deforestation, using ecocriticism as our main approach. Our main goal is to find new formulas to internalize the values of the Sadranan Oral Tradition as an effort to preserve the environment and curb climate change.” Besides Lodhi, the research team consists of Ghina Danilah as the leader (Indonesian Language and Literature, 2022), Syifa Hasna Yunifa (Forestry, 2023), Afif Naufal Widiadi (Cultural Anthropology, 2021), and Febriano Agung Nugroho (Law, 2023), under the guidance of Dr. Aprillia Firmonasari, S.S., M.Hum., DEA.
This research involves surveys of 78 residents of Duren Hamlet using observation and interviews with key figures such as the gatekeeper, forest rangers, village officials, and the head of Beji Village. “As supporting data, we conducted archival readings and a population census,” said Lodhi.
Survey results show that the majority of respondents (43.9%) are in the group that is active and committed to preserving the tradition. A small portion (8.5%) is in the group that participates and believes but does not understand or spread the tradition.
Ecocriticism analysis of the Sadranan Oral Tradition shows that human awareness of nature can maintain ecosystem balance and create ecological conservation. However, social and economic factors can threaten this sustainability, especially the low participation rate among the younger age group (<25 years), which risks eroding local culture.
Active participation and community commitment in preserving the Sadranan oral tradition indicate that the social system in Duren Hamlet has achieved balance and sustainability. Through this tradition, the community has successfully built social systems and structures that support the conservation of Wonosadi Forest.
With the ecocriticism approach, this research emphasizes the importance of integrating local traditions into ecological conservation strategies for climate change mitigation, and opens new perspectives on conservation efforts in other forests in Indonesia.
