Ikan Batak or ihan refers to fishes of genera Tor and Neolissochilus. They are socioeconomically valuable fishes in North Sumatra and some regions in Indonesia, yet their population in the wild has been declined. In situ conservation is one of the efforts to increase its population in natural habitat. Our previous study proposed Bonan Dolok River in Samosir Regency as the potential site for Ikan Batak in situ conservation. The combination of scenic landscapes and a waterfall in the upstream part of the river, as well as the presence of Ikan Batak in the conservation site, can be a potential ecotourism attraction in Samosir Regency. Ecotourism has many advantages, such as providing financial benefits to local people while sustaining natural resources. Our present study aimed to explore the potentiality of Bonan Dolok River for the conservation site of Ikan Batak and its prospect for ecotourism. The bioecological of ikan Batak and hydromorphological description of Bonan Dolok River was based on the literature review and a primary study conducted in 2019. People’s perception of the prospect and challenges of developing ecotourism and stakeholder’s role in the management of conservation and ecotourism were identified. The ecological and hydromorphological profile showed the potentiality of Bonan Dolok for conservation site. The local community of Bonan Dolok plays an essential role related to their local customary in environmental management and initiation of ecotourism. Stakeholders’ awareness on conservation of Indonesian native fishes, including Ikan Batak should be enhanced to get a better understanding of conservation management.
The variety of riparian vegetation to support the life of ihan (Tor sp.) in the Bonandolok River in North Sumatra was studied. Ihan is an endemic species in Bonandolok that has been considered in the red list of species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Since ihan is almost extinct in its natural habitat, a research that relate to their habitat became crucial. Riparian vegetation plays an essential role in keeping ecosystem balance. Degradation of the riparian area not only triggers sedimentation but also change the microhabitat. It is thus vital to know the relation between the riparian vegetation and ihan. This research was conducted in April 2019 through the survey method at four stations (St. 1 the upstream, St. 2 upstream-middle part, St. 3 middle-downstream part, and St. 4 the downstream). The survey recorded a total of 51 plant species within 31 families. Tithonia diversifolia A. Grey was found as the most abundant species during the study (136 individuals). Station 2 was the station with the most species (23 species), and station with the most abundance of riparian vegetations was station 3 (262 individuals). The result of this study calls for the critical consideration supporting the efficiently riparian vegetation conservation as a habitat and food source of ihan in Bonandolok River.
Lake Toba Caldera is one of the most extraordinary volcanic features formed during the Quaternary geological time. Currently, Lake Toba is a multi-functional lake, which is not only used as a source of water for the Sigura-gura power plant but also a tourist destination with a high level of visits. Lake Toba catchment area is part of the landscape of the Bukit Barisan Mountain Range extending northwest–southeast with irregular ridges and valleys, which have peaks with altitudes between 2000–3000 m above sea level, dominated by slope class (3–8%). Lake Toba is also a place for Indonesian native fishes having high values such as ikan batak (Tor spp. and Neolissochilus spp.). At present, however, the fishes are difficult to find. Generally, ikan batak prefers to live in a habitat with rocky bottoms, sand substrates, clear water, slow to heavy water flow, and the river environment is mostly in the form of primary forest. Description of physical characteristics of water bodies is needed to maintain an ecological system and to be used as a basis for determining fisheries protection zones. Bonan Dolok River is one of the rivers in Samosir Regency-North Sumatra where ikan batak can be relatively found. The river flows throughout the year and its morphology, which consists of a pool, riffle, and run and flow patterns such as laminar and turbulent are favored by ikan batak. Furthermore, the upstream area which is still covered by natural forest makes this area suitable as a conservation area for ikan batak itself.
Authors' Contribution SR and MI planned the proposed study. IA, NA, MAK and TRS contributed to the lab work. IA, MS and SA wrote the article. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
The fishes of genera Neolissochilus and Tor are locally known as Ikan Batak or ihan in North Sumatra. They are sacred and are usually served in Batak tribe traditional ceremonies. However, their population in the wild is declining because of habitat degradation, unwise exploitation, water pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. Therefore, suitable management is needed to maintain Ikan Batak's sustainability in their natural habitat, which can be conducted through in situ conservation. The habitat of Ikan Batak in the Bonan Dolok river of the Samosir Regency can potentially be developed as a conservation site. Information concerning this species in Bonan Dolok River is needed as a basis for effective in situ conservation management. Morphologically identified fish captured in Bonan Dolok River were validated using DNA barcoding of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial DNA segment. This study confirmed that Ikan Batak captured from Bonan Dolok River belongs to two genera, Neolissochilus and Tor. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree construction using Maximum Likelihood showed that the specimens identified as N. sumatranus were identical to N. cf soroides, a species found in the Malaysian peninsula, Thailand, and Cambodia.
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