Biodiversity Tourism Suitability Index for HCV Areas in Oil Palm Landscapes

The rapid expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia has raised significant environmental concerns, especially related to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. However, past studies also stated that oil palm plantations provide positive impacts on social and economic aspects, among others are the employment opportunities for local communities, the increase in community’s welfare, and the existence of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas within these plantations that are homes to various biodiversity life. This study aims to explore the suitability of HCVs to be utilized as tourism attractions, in this context, for biodiversity tourism. Data were collected from oil palm plantation stakeholders in Kotawaringin Barat, Central Kalimantan, through questionnaires. The suitability index was established combining Pairwise Comparison Chart and Simple Additive Weighting to determine the overall suitability scores. Results indicate that the HCVs are suitable for biodiversity tourism, while independently the sustainability parameter shows the need for improved sustainable practices. To achieve balanced suitability, this study’s recommendations include strengthening sustainable policies, enhancing community engagement, and investing in eco-friendly infrastructure. This study recommends for further research to focus on refining the index and exploring its application in other regions.