Forests in the area of ​​Mount Merapi, which is managed by the National Park of Mount Merapi ( TNGM ) is one of the mountain ecosystems in Java which has a high value in terms of ecological , economic , social and cultural . Forest biodiversity in this mountain has a high diversity value , partly no endangered species that need to be protected . In addition , the mountain has formed a specific ecosystem is mountainous tropical forest with a succession of dynamic patterns resulting from volcanic activity as the most active volcano in the world ( Djuwantoko et al , 2005) .

The uniqueness of the forest in TNGM also has created a huge ecosystem role for the surrounding community . Some of the positive role that has been created and associated with humans is a critical area for Yogyakarta regional hydrology and parts of Central Java , some of the flora and fauna habitats are protected , bags of various potential germplasm . In addition , TNGM also participates in social and religious functions for the people who live in the vicinity ( Djuwantoko et al , 2005) .

Indigenous communities who live around Mount Merapi has formed a unique ecosystem , which is something that local knowledge can be regarded as ecological wisdom that supports the sustainability of ecosystems in TNGM . For example , public land management and Plalangan Girpasang not disturb state forest land perengan planting with bamboo , grass and wood Sogo moor boundary planting with perennials . All this is aimed at protecting natural resources or conservation land and biota . In addition , traditional ceremonies such as mountains and memetri tuk memetri conducted communities around Mount Merapi to the presence of reinforcing local wisdom to live in harmony with nature and protect the sustainability of the ecosystem itself TNGM ( Habibi , 2012) .

According to Ogawa (1995 ) , each culture has its own knowledge of science and culture associated with the presence of the then existing "indigenous science " . The existence of these terms for the existence of other terms that Traditional Ecological Knowledge ( TEK ) which appears pada1980 's. TEK itself guided by the presence of traditional or local wisdom . TEK has also been instrumental in establishing some basic science such as medicine , architecture , engineering , agronomy , etc. ( Snively et al , 2000) . The above statement shows the importance of local wisdom to be learned . This is also reinforced by the writings Sartini (2004 ) which showed that one of the functions of local wisdom is for the development of culture and science .

On the basis of the existence of local knowledge should be preserved . One is through education . This is because education is a social tool that guides future generations of the community . Generation is expected to build the next civilization without leaving the value of their predecessors ( Tilaar , 2002) .