Recording Wallace\'s Trace

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Kama Jaya Saghir (right) and M Taufiq Ismail

Kama Jaya Shagir and Taufik Ismail are civil servants whose hobbies are photography and writing. Their hobbies are in line with their interest in history and biodiversity. They explore history, observe biodiversity and capture it in photographs and writing.

When Kama, a forest ecosystem controller at Bantimurung-Bulusaraung (Babul) National Park, searched for the ruins of Alfred Russel Wallace\'s house in the Maros area in 2015-2016, it actually was not part of his duties. However, his interest in history prompted him to look for the home of the British naturalist that he had read about in The Malay Archipelago.

He looked for information and literature about Wallace and old maps from various sources. He downloaded relevant data from various websites, accessing either paid for or free sites. He often struggled to translate material written in foreign languages ​​or terms.

The information he obtained became the basis for his trips to various locations and to meet elderly people who had heard stories about Wallace. During a year of searching for traces, he found indications that could lead him to the location of Wallace\'s house. He also recorded what animals and plants Wallace had discovered during his time in Maros.

The pair was bothered by "The Kingdom of Butterfly" label given to Bantimurung, which had been credited to Wallace.

Kama is an admirer of Wallace, as is his coworker Taufik. However, Taufik was more interested in finding out about the fauna and flora studied by Wallace. They then collaborated to collect data about the types of butterflies, birds and other animals and plants that Wallace had studied. They then organized an expedition with a few friends.

The collaboration resulted in books, including Bantimurung-Bulusaraung Literacy Exploration 1745-1942, Honey of Karst Patanyamang and a book about butterflies titled Metamorphosis. The books were published by Babul National Park and prepared by the team. The books provide knowledge on Bantimurung, the Babul National Park area, biodiversity and community empowerment activities.

Kingdom of butterflies

Their next journey led them to the question of how many species of butterfly Wallace collected while in Maros. The pair was bothered by "The Kingdom of Butterfly" label given to Bantimurung, which had been credited to Wallace, whereas in his notes, he never once mentioned the label.

"We have recorded how many species of butterflies were collected by Wallace in Bantimurung during his time in Maros from July to November 1857. Wallace spent only four days in Bantimurung, where he found only six species of butterflies. The 232 other species were found in the exploration area around Ammasangeng and the cottage where he lived," said Taufik.

Many types of butterflies have been recorded in photographs by Kama and Taufik.

TN Babul National Park was once shocked when many people said butterflies in Maros were almost extinct. The two did a field study to find out and recorded existing species. They found that there were still 300 species. Indeed, there are times when many butterflies are seen, for example during the transition of seasons. However, the remaining butterflies fly above the karst. "Of course not all of them can be seen if it is not the season," said Taufik.

Many types of butterflies have been recorded in photographs by Kama and Taufik, as well as information related to the type, place and nature of butterfly.

Kama and Taufik both have a forest conservation background. Working in TN Babul National Park and dealing with forests and biodiversity did not make them abandon their interest in history and photography. Kama, for example, diligently collected material, character  and traditions related to the history of a place. He was interested in Fritz Sarasin, a Swiss naturalist and anthropologist who also explored the Sulawesi region post-Wallace. Kama found documents that had never been published.

"It is always interesting to look back at what happened in the past, what our predecessors did and compare it to present conditions. Many things can be learned, including the wisdom of the past," he said.

The same thing was done by Taufik in between his main work or while doing his job as an ecosystem controller. He went in and out of the forest and recorded biodiversity, met with the people of the TN Babul National Park and then wrote about it.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Kama Jaya Saghir

Kama Jaya Shagir

Born: Makassar, 5 April 1975

Education:

School of Forestry IPB

; Postgraduate in forestry Unhas

Job: Civil servant at TN Babul

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

M. Taufiq Ismail

Taufik Ismail

Born: Parepare, 26 August 1982

Wife: Irdiana Lestari

Children: Keenand Athaya Ismail and Kiana Gadiza Ismail

Education: SKMA Ujung Pandang

; Forestry, School of Agriculture, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado

Job: Civil servant at TN Babul