Bridging Myth and Policy for Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study in Kampung Adat Cireundeu, Jawa Barat

Abstract

Data on the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2020 experienced a minus contraction of up to 3.49 percent. This figure is dominated by the contribution of 5 (five) sectors, which include the manufacturing industry, trade, construction, mining, as well as agriculture. Of the five sectors, only the agricultural sector experienced positive growth in the third quarter of 2020 with 2.15 percent year on year. At the same time, the workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic has actually given rise to the phenomenon of urban people returning to their villages and mostly choosing farmers. In the midst of the condition that many workers experience layoffs, and the changing work system, in the end it will greatly affect the workers who have minimal skills and then many experience ruralization. However, in fact the phenomenon of returning home is an alternative way of survival where the village as a crisis agent is able to guarantee a better life from the agricultural sector. Therefore, this study takes place on how the survival shown by the village can be said to be an agent of crisis. This research tries to find out how the adaptive life patterns are shown by the people in the Kampung Adat Cireundeu, Kota Cimahi, Jawa Barat. The results of the study indicate that the belief system/myth and values attached to the foundation of the local community's life do not affect people's lives with the crisis that hit. In addition, the myths/beliefs that are practiced in the life of the local community can open new job alternatives, provided that the government is able to provide protection through the right policies. This study is also useful to provide input to the government to support the creation of environmental sustainability.