The Lost Jungle (2021) by Indonesian artist collective Tromarama is currently on display at Museum MACAN’s Children’s Art Space. The artwork highlights the relationships between humans, technology, and nature - in particular, how this relationship affects the natural biodiversity.

This relationship between humans, technology, and nature is also reflected in the practices done by Masyarakat Adat Dalem Tamblingan at Alas Mertajati. Alas Mertajati is a forest surrounding Tamblingan Lake, Buleleng, Bali. For Masyarakat Adat Dalem Tamblingan, Alas (forest) Mertajati is the true source of life, where not only 17 historic places of worship are located, but also it is a forest that is rich in biodiversity with close socio-ecological ties to the community.

Currently, Alas Mertajati is registered as a state-forest, but to preserve its sacred status, the Tamblingan community has been advocating to change the status of Alas Mertajati into a customary forest and managed according to the teachings of Piagem Gama Tirta, which emphasizes on the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, particularly the spring waters.

One of the endeavours done by the Tamblingan community in this long effort is the digital mapping of the flora and fauna in the forest using a GPS (Global Positioning System) technology spread across the 1,300 hectares of Alas Mertajati. This mapping effort is done to identify the real condition in the forest, including compiling the database of species on the brink of extinction so that actions to save the forest can be carried out. In addition, the digital data collected will also be released to the public as a “digital inscription” so that the public and future generations can know the history and potential of biodiversity in Alas Mertajati.