Utilizing Geographic Information Systems to Analyze Physical Conditions for Policymaking in Kapuas Hulu for Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Kapuas Hulu, situated in the heart of Kalimantan, is home to the Betung Kerihun National Park and Danau Sentarum. These areas play a crucial role in mitigating global climate change. The presence of sufficient forests is essential for maintaining ecosystem balance, but forest conservation is increasingly threatened by development pressures. Therefore, development policies in Kapuas Hulu must take into account the region's physical conditions, ecological boundaries, and functional limits to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This study uses Geographic Information Systems with a superimpose method to analyze variables such as environmental carrying capacity, ecoregions, disaster risks, and land cover. The analysis offers guidance for more holistic and integrated policy-making. It reveals that Kapuas Hulu has ecological and functional boundaries that extend beyond its administrative limits, making it a critical buffer zone, especially due to its location at the headwaters of the Kapuas River and within the Meratus Structural Complex Mountain Ecoregion. Based on the analysis, the recommended policies prioritize improving rural and urban settlement management, reducing disaster risks, enhancing conservation area and biodiversity management, and reducing air and water pollution levels.