Mapping Landscapes in East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi

Mapping Landscapes in East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi

Sustainable landscape management depends on the availability of spatial data that is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. Recognizing this need, the Epistem initiative has expanded its activities to East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi through the launch of Kopi Darat (Kopdar) 1: Strengthening Capacity for Landscape Mapping Using Remote Sensing.

As the first in a series of engagements in both provinces, the Kopdar aimed to strengthen stakeholders’ capacity to understand and apply landscape mapping technologies in support of forest restoration, deforestation prevention, and sustainable natural resource management. The sessions, held on April 20–21 and May 4–5, 2026, were implemented by Landscape Alliance (CIFOR-ICRAF) Indonesia with support from IIASA, the Ecology Research Center of BRIN, and WRI Indonesia.

Opening the events in Kupang and Makassar, Dr. Asep Hidayat, Head of the Ecology Research Center at BRIN, emphasized the importance of ensuring that Epistem is grounded in robust scientific methodologies. He highlighted the close collaboration between BRIN and Landscape Alliance (CIFOR-ICRAF) Indonesia, combining scientific rigor with strong field-level expertise. This partnership ensures that the platform remains scientifically sound while also practical and relevant for implementation on the ground.

A Distinct Approach to Capacity Building

Building on nearly a year of pilot implementation in South Sumatra, Epistem’s expansion in 2026 introduced the Luma (Land Use Mapping for All) platform alongside the establishment of the Karsa Bentala Community in East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi. In contrast to the earlier pilot phase, which focused primarily on government agencies and local organizations, this first Kopdar actively engaged university students as well as vocational high school students and teachers working in forestry and landscape-related fields.

This broader engagement reflects Epistem’s commitment to inclusivity and long-term capacity development. By involving emerging practitioners early on, the initiative helps build a stronger foundation for future landscape governance.

Participants highlighted the practical value of the platform. Fahri, a forestry student from Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS), noted that Luma simplifies access to satellite imagery and the production of land cover maps. Similarly, Zubaidah, a student from the State Forestry Vocational School in Makassar, emphasized how the sessions provided both new technical knowledge and opportunities to expand professional networks.

Andree Ekadinata, Director of Landscape Alliance (CIFOR-ICRAF) Indonesia, reiterated that Epistem’s technologies are developed with users at the center. Stakeholders involved in restoration and landscape management are engaged from the outset to test tools and provide feedback, ensuring that the platform responds directly to real-world needs and can be widely adopted.

According to Epistem Coordinator, Dony Indiarto, the Kopdar forms part of a broader effort to strengthen participatory mapping while supporting the iterative development of the Luma platform. The sessions enabled participants to understand standardized approaches to land cover mapping, while also serving as a platform to share insights from earlier stakeholder consultations on spatial data challenges.

Beyond technical training, participants were encouraged to identify mapping priorities relevant to their respective roles and regions. This process ensures that the platform continues to evolve in line with user needs and local contexts.

By the end of the sessions, participants had strengthened their understanding of landscape mapping, developed practical skills in using Luma, and initiated collaborative efforts to support the development of mapping technologies for sustainable landscape management in East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi.