Tanah dan Budaya yang Saling Menjaga: Kearifan Lingkungan Kampung Pulo di Era Modern

Abstract

Pulo Customary Village, located in the middle of Lake Cangkuang, Garut Regency, West Java, represents a tangible example of the successful harmony between local culture and the natural environment. With the number of buildings restricted to only seven units in accordance with customary regulations, the residents of Pulo Village continue to preserve ancestral traditions that reflect profound environmental wisdom. This study aims to explore and analyze the environmental wisdom practices implemented by the Pulo community in responding to the pressures of modernization. The method employed involves fieldwork through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with customary leaders and elder residents, as well as photographic documentation and field notes. The results indicate that traditional agricultural systems, sustainable natural resource management, and customary rituals integrated with nature serve as the primary pillars in maintaining ecosystem balance. The discussion emphasizes that the cultural wisdom of Pulo Village is not merely a heritage of the past, but an adaptive system that continues to evolve to preserve environmental sustainability amid changing times. In the era of digital transformation and urbanization, Pulo Village offers a model of sustainable development grounded in local wisdom and respect for the earth as a source of life. This study concludes that environmental sustainability cannot be separated from the preservation of authentic culture rooted in customary values.