Conservation strategy of Cuing (Cyclea barbata Miers) in Mount Ciremai National Park as forest fuctional food based on bioecology and utilization rate

The potential of Cuing (Cyclea barbata) was found in utilization zone of Mount Ciremai National Park. Based on applicable laws and regulations of utilization in conservation area, species in national park are not allowed to be harvested but there were still some people who utilized plants or animals in national park illegally. The study was conducted in Mount Ciremai National Park and Cibuntu Village, Pasawahan Subdistrict, Kuningan District, West Java which is a buffer village of the national park. This research was aimed to formulate a conservation strategy, so that conservation and preservation of the area can be done simultaneously. The method used in this research was vegetation analysis and purposive sampling interview to have full understanding of its bioecological and utilization rate. The results showed that Cuing condition in nature were threatened by competition with Ipomoea sp and succession that lead to climax, made it difficult to get sun to grow. Illegal harvesting was carried out by outsiders while people in the village only utilized plant which grew in their village. Based on interview, villagers only consumed Cuing during dry season and Ramadhan. The in-situ conservation synthesis that can be done were to improve land productivity and strengthen AMAR stimulus in villagers, while ex-situ conservation synthesis that can be done by conducting cultivation in the village.