Besides being known as a palm sugar producer, Taratau Village in Tabalong District has a beautiful natural panorama where it is surrounded by forest.
It takes one hour to go from the capital city of Tanjung to Taratau Village, which is now one of the local tourist destinations and visitors outside Tabalong.
One of its additional attractions is what so-called as river tubing, that is river cruising by using an inner tube, as a choice of visitors.
The Head of Taratau Village Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) Hatni said tube playing for local residents was originally just a fad, but now it can actually be an additional income.
"It turned out that the response was good, because the river tubing had a different sensation, so many visitors are interested," explained Hatni.
No wonder almost every day the village of Taratau has the arrival of visitors who want to try the river stream using an inner tube of car tire or tubing.
Along with the presence of many visitors, the village economy was then boosted considering the local traders also felt the impact.
A river tubing jockey, Rahman, claimed to receive IDR 30,000 in wages for one trip and usually in one day he could serve four to five trips.
"From the results of my work to being a jockey I can help my family and school fund," explained Rahman who is still in a student of the Islamic high school Madrasah Aliyah Jaro.
Seeing the tourism potential of Taratau Village, PT Adaro Indonesia CSR Manager Leni Marlina assessed the need for alternative economic development for local residents. During this time the foundation of the village economy is supported by the use of natural resources.
"We are trying to help in the form of adding tourist features, such as camping ground and out bond area," Leni explained.
Including offering rescue skills in water for tour guides in Taratau Village.
Through the first revolving fund of Rp 25 million, PT Adaro Indonesia helped the village with procuring standard river crusing equipment.
Adaro also prepared Rp97 million to build outbound areas and this year Rp105 million has been allocated for tourism development in Taratau Village.
