The conservation efforts in the Kaimana region, which have been ongoing since 2013, have borne fruit, earning it the nickname “kingdom of fish.” Therefore, there is optimism that it will be able to rival Raja Ampat.
Senior Vice President and Executive Leader of Konservasi Indonesia (KI), Meizani Irmadhiany believes that Kaimana in West Papua Province could become an ecotourism icon just like Raja Ampat in Southwest Papua.
The leader of the foundation that supports sustainable development and environmental preservation assessed that Kaimana Regency has established itself as a conservation-based ecotourism destination.
“Kaimana has extraordinary biodiversity.” With a community-based conservation approach and wise tourism management, we believe Kaimana can become a new ecotourism icon like Raja Ampat,” he said.
The region whose waters are home to beautiful coral reefs and is dubbed the kingdom of fish, according to Meizani, can serve as an example in the implementation of a tourism management model that aligns with environmental conservation efforts.
Konservasi Indonesia also supports the efforts of local governments and indigenous communities in managing tourism responsibly and sustainably in the Kaimana Regency area. The nature conservation efforts carried out in Kaimana include the protection of marine and mangrove ecosystems covering more than 52 thousand hectares, which are important habitats for economically and ecologically valuable fish species.
The implementation of conservation efforts in the Kaimana Regency area involves the local government, partner institutions and organizations, as well as the community. The people of Kaimana strive to preserve nature by implementing the Sasi Nggama tradition, a local wisdom in regulating the use of marine natural resources and protecting them from exploitation.
The conservation efforts in Kaimana Regency which began in 2013 have proven successful. According to data from Indonesian Conservation, the waters of Kaimana in 2020 became home to 1,157 species of fish and 492 types of coral reefs, making it one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world.
Meizani stated that the success of the coral reef transplantation program in Namatota Village, Kaimana Regency, also proves that conservation efforts can go hand in hand with tourism development.
“This initiative not only revives the underwater ecosystem but also enhances the tourist appeal for divers and environmental enthusiasts,” she said, quoted from Antara.
KI, together with the local government, assists the community in developing community-based ecotourism to ensure the sustainability of conservation-based tourism management.
Together with the Regional Public Service Agency (Badan Layanan Umum Daerah/BLUD) for the Management of Kaimana Marine Conservation Area, the foundation helps ensure the sustainability of the management of nearly 500 thousand hectares of conservation area, which plays an important role in the preservation of the environment and the livelihoods of the local community.
Ecotourism Promotion
KI is also collaborating with actress Prilly Latuconsina, who has explored Kaimana and witnessed the conservation efforts in the area firsthand, to help promote Kaimana’s ecotourism.
Prilly has visited diving spots in Triton Bay such as Bo’s Rainbow, Larry’s Dive Heaven, and Christmas Rock, as well as visited Bicari Bay, a meeting place for whale sharks and dolphins. In addition, she visited Jellyfish Lake, explored the mangrove forest in Kampung Marsi, and observed the coral reef transplantation process in Namatota.
“I am very sure that this district is a hidden paradise that we must protect.” Not only by the local community, but by all of us who visit it,” he said.
The head of the Kaimana BLUD, Eli Auwe, stated that according to data from the Tourism Office, the number of local tourists to the Kaimana area has significantly increased from only 86 people in 2015 to 1,228 people in 2019.
“In the same period, the number of foreign tourists (who visited) increased by an average of 15% each year,” he said.
“In 2024, BLUD recorded 797 foreign tourists visiting the Kaimana conservation area,” he added.
Namatota King Randi Asnawi Ombaier appreciates the partners who assist the local government and the community in Kaimana in managing natural resources sustainably.
“We can now see a new source of income opportunity by wisely utilizing our natural wealth, namely through ecotourism,” he said.
Namatota is ready to welcome tourists who want to witness the natural beauty and participate in ecosystem protection efforts in the region.
https://validnews.id/kultura/optimisme-kaimana-kembangkan-ekowisata-setara-raja-ampat
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