Wanagama Healing Forest Hazard Risk Assessment: Balancing Traditional Healing Practices and Public Health Safety

Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

One of the benefits of forests for humans is forest therapy (healing forest). Wanagama Healing Forest (WHF) has a tracking path accessible for forest-healing activities. Tracking path safety must be addressed to ensure visitors feel safe and comfortable. Objectives are to (1) identify hazards along the WHF tracking path, (2) assess exposure pathways and risk levels for users and practitioners, and (3) recommend culturally sensitive risk-management strategies that preserve traditional practices while reducing health risks. Methods combine qualitative and quantitative approaches: participatory ethnobotanical surveys and semi-structured interviews with healers and users; observational assessments of hazards; and a structured risk assessment using Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) along the tracking path. The research was conducted on a tracking path in WHF. The tracking of path safety and physical condition was evaluated in accordance with SNI 9006:2021 on Forest Tourism for Health Therapy. The results of the study show that the criteria affecting visitor safety are wind speed and storage, while the dominant factors affecting visitor insecurity are temperature. If, based on the physical site, the tracking path is suitable for the development of a promotive orientation with an increase in the unsafe segment, then, for the spiritual site criteria, it is suitable for the development of curative, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative orientations with an increase in the unsafe segment. Furthermore, risk assessment and control using HIRARC revealed that the dominant high-risk category was tripping over a stone. The dominant moderate risk was the fall of dead trees. The dominant low risk was being punctured/scratched by plant thorns. Control efforts include eliminating potential sources of hazard, replacing unsafe segments, building and repairing infrastructure, installing warning signs, and using personal protective equipment (PPE).