SMART Patrol Training in Telaga Village Forest
July 2022
Community Forest Ecosystem Services (CFES) organized a capacity-building program for local communities through a SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) training held in Telaga Village, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan Province. The training took place from June 30 to July 4, 2022, and was attended by 10 members of the patrol team from the Telaga Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD Telaga). The objective of this training was to develop a participatory SMART system to support forest protection and data collection by local communities in the Telaga Village Forest. The training sessions were also supported by the Village Head of Telaga.
During the training, participants received instruction on how to use the SMART application, including planning, data storage, analysis, and reporting. By using SMART, data related to forest monitoring and patrols, including potential resources, threats, and biological observations can be effectively managed. The use of SMART ensures that patrol data collected whether concerning forest potential, threats, or wildlife encounters becomes measurable and standardized, thus enabling more accurate evaluation and planning.
The training was not limited to classroom sessions. Participants also conducted field patrol simulations using the SMART mobile method, carried out directly in Telaga Village Forest. The patrol team received basic training on patrol implementation, including GPS usage, operation of the SMART mobile app, patrol data processing, report writing, and SMART Patrol monitoring.
As part of the field simulations, the patrol team installed informational signboards at two different locations to mark territorial boundaries. In addition, they discovered an orangutan nest and captured images of key species, providing concrete evidence that the training had a real impact on enhancing the capacity of the patrol team and supporting forest conservation in HD Telaga.
One of the outcomes of the training was the development of a Patrol Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The aim of this initiative is to enhance the ability of LPHD Telaga members to protect the forest and collect data using the SMART patrol method, supported by a field guidebook and practical patrol implementation.
The roles of LPHD Telaga and the Village Head of Telaga were also crucial in supporting the patrol activities. Their involvement in both the training delivery and field patrol assistance reflects a strong commitment and responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the forest in Telaga Village.