Withaningsih S, Noorahya F, Megantara EN, Parikesit, Husodo T. 2018. Nest existences and population of Pangolin (Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822) at the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 153-162. Pangolin (Manis javanica) is one of the unique mammals found in Indonesia, which is categoryzed as protected species. However, the scientific information regarding with the population and distribution of this species is still low. Therefore, the study aimed to estimate the total population, distribution, and potential threat to Pangolin in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java. Study was conducted using three methods; direct observation (survey) of animal signs (nest, footprint, tail print, claw marks, and feed left over), camera traps placement, and semi-structure interviews. The result shows that the active and abandoned (inactive) nests were found within the study site, and could be classified as tree nest, rock nest, and ground nest. The total population of Pangolin in Cisokan hydropower project site was estimated around 6-20 individuals. This population was distributed in five different areas; first areas were Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Nunggul, and Batu Sahulu; second area was Batu Wulung; third areas were Curug Japarana and Curug Walet; fourth areas were Hutan Gowek and Cadas Gantung; fifth area was Pongpok. The potential threats experienced by Pangolin were from illegal hunting activity and habitat fragmentation caused by infrastructure development and field clearing for crops plantation.

Reservoirs play a strategic role in the context of sustainable energy supply. Unfortunately, the majority of the reservoirs are facing water-quality degradation due to complex pollutants originating from activities both in the catchment and inside the reservoir. This research was aimed at assessing the extent of the water degradation, in terms of corrosivity level, and at examining its impacts on hydropower capacity and operation. Water quality data (total dissolved solids, pH, calcium, bicarbonate, and temperature) were obtained from 20 sampling stations in the Cirata Reservoir from 2007 to 2016. The results show that the river water is already corrosive (Langelier Saturation Index, LSI = − 0.21 to − 1.08), and, the corrosiveness becoming greater when entering the reservoir (LSI = − 0.52 to − 1.49). The water corrosivity has caused damage to the hydro-mechanical equipment and lowering production capacity. The external environment of the catchment hosts complex human activities, such as agriculture, land conversion, urban and industrial discharge, which have all played a major role in the water corrosiveness. Meanwhile, the internal environment, such as floating net cage aquaculture, has intensified the problem. As the water corrosiveness has increased, the maintenance of the hydro-mechanical facilities has also increased. Strategies must be applied as current conditions are certainly a threat to the sustainability of the hydropower operation and, hence, the energy supply.

Abstract. Permana S, Iskandar J, Parikesit, Husodo T, Megantara EN, Partasasmita R. 2019. Changes of ecological wisdom of Sundanese People on conservation of wild animals: A case study in Upper Cisokan Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1284-1293. In the past Sundanese rural people had a very close relationship with the environment. They utilize natural resources based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and is strongly influenced by their perception of nature. This article elucidates the mythology of Sundanese rural people on wild animals and the changes of rural people perceptions and their behavior to wild animals in the rural ecosystem based on a case study in Bojong Salam and Sukaresmi villages, Rongga district, West Bandung, the upper Cisokan watershed, West Java. Method used in this study was qualitative, while some techniques, including observation, participant observation, and semi-structured interview were applied. The result of study showed that in the past Sundanese the rural people of Upper Cisokan watershed, West Bandung, West Java owned myths on some wild animals that is inherited from their ancestor through oral and using mother language. The influence of these myths on wild animals caused the rural people had prohibited to kill these animals and important role for traditional conservation. Nowadays, however, some myths on wild animals of rural people have not eroded or not recognized by young generations. Consequently, some taboos in hunting and catching animal based on myths on wild animals have tended not been applied to conserve wild animals traditionally. Therefore, to develop appropriate nature conservation, the biophysical, the socio-economic and cultural aspects must be holistically considered.

Shanidah SS, Partasasmita R, Hudoso T. Parikesit, Meganatara EN. 2018. Short Communication: Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 37-41. Javan Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis Desmarest, 1816) in the Cisokan non-conservation forest areas, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: xx, xxx.There is no accurate data about the number of leopard individuals in Java Island in both conservation and non-conservation areas. Besides, human continue to deforestation for the necessities of life, such as agriculture, plantation, etc. Therefore, it is important to research about the existence of leopard cat in Cisokan of Cianjur Regency. The aim of this research is to investigate evidence of the leopard cat’s existence, encounter rate of leopard cat and estimation of leopard cat individual in the non-conservation forest areas, Cisokan, Cianjur. Indirect observation sign survey and direct observation with camera trap were carried out to find evidence of the existence of leopard cat (feces and footprint). The results of the study showed that the evidence of leopard cat’s existence are 6 footprints, 27 feces, and 1 individual which was able to observe. The encounter with camera traps was 29.16 independent detections /100 camera days, resulting in 7-12 estimated individuals.

Abstract. Mustikasari IA, Withaningsih S, Megantara EN, Husodo T, Parikesit. 2019. Population and distribution of Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica F. Cuvier, 1823) at designated area of Cisokan Hydropower, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20:  762-769. One of the endemic species of Indonesia is the Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica). Sunda porcupine is a big rodent which has unique defense mechanism behavior using its quills. This research was conducted in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower (PLTA Cisokan), in West Java, Indonesia. The method in this study is qualitative to determine the total population and distribution. Data collection techniques were carried out by sign surveys (burrow, footprints, quills, food sites, and feces), camera traps, and semi-structured interviews. The result shows the number of porcupine populations in the designated area of Cisokan Hydropower is 6-29 individuals. Porcupine population is distributed in five regions, namely the first region consisting of Pasir Gagak, Cigintung, Batu Sahulu and Batu Nunggul; the second region is Batu Tumpeng and Batu Wulung; the third region is Curug Japarana; the fourth region consists of Sarongge and Cadas Gantung; and the fifth region is Pongpok. Based on the type of land cover, the porcupine population is commonly found in the types of shrub/huma /ladang, talun, and natural forests.