Community and Wakatobi National Park Collaborate to Protect Conservation Areas Through Local Wisdom

Efforts to preserve the conservation areas of Wakatobi National Park (WNP), Southeast Sulawesi, continue to be strengthened through collaboration among the Wakatobi National Park Authority (BTNW), local customary communities, and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN). Implement the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Community-Based Protection and Security. Ensuring all parties are committed to safeguarding marine resources based on local wisdom and community participation.

Wakatobi National Park, spanning 1.32 million hectares, comprises 97% of its area as sea and 3% as land. Approximately 84% of this vast expanse, equating to 1.11 million hectares, is utilized by local communities for fishing, tourism, and daily activities. However, the area faces significant challenges, including the detrimental effects of blast and cyanide fishing, coral reef destruction, and zoning violations.

Head of Wakatobi National Park, La Ode Ahyar T. Mufti, emphasised the importance of a collaborative approach that prioritises local wisdom in maintaining marine ecosystem sustainability. “We believe that conservation management cannot be done by the government alone. Community involvement, especially those who understand their maritime space and traditions, is key to successfully protecting Wakatobi,” he said.

Under the SOP ratified in August 2024, area security activities are carried out through participatory patrols involving various stakeholders. Each patrol team includes Forestry Police (Polhut) officers from BTNW, local police officers, representatives of the Sara Adat traditional council, and members of community conservation groups. Teams consist of at least three people, with patrols lasting two to three days.

Routine patrols are conducted at least once a month, while incidental patrols are carried out whenever there are reports or indications of violations in the field. These patrols also include monitoring at guard posts and observing fishing and tourism activities in traditional zones, as well as small boat sea patrols.

Technology supports these efforts. Through the Avenza Maps app, patrol members can locate themselves within the park and ensure that community activities comply with the designated conservation zones.

According to the jointly prepared SOP with YKAN, any detected violation is addressed in a tiered and coordinated manner. If community patrols spot suspicious activities, such as blast fishing, coral harvesting, or zoning breaches, they must report them to Polhut or the police via the BTNW call centre.

If violations are caught in the act, patrol teams will halt the activity, secure evidence, and file an official report. In cases involving local residents, customary mechanisms (Sara Adat) are often the first step, with an emphasis on education and guidance before resorting to legal action.

“Law enforcement is carried out with principles of guidance and humanity. We want the community to be part of the solution, not merely the subject of enforcement. That is why outreach and communication are integral to every patrol,” Ahyar added.

For coastal communities, direct involvement in area security brings significant benefits. Supriadi, a fisherman from Onemay Village, Tomia Island, admits he now better understands the boundaries and the importance of protecting the sea for their livelihood.

“In the past, we didn’t know exactly where we were allowed to fish. Now that we’ve joined patrols with officers, we’ve gained knowledge of the boundaries and can actively contribute to preserving the productivity of the sea. We hope that the community, particularly fishermen, will always be involved in protecting Wakatobi’s marine areas because the sea is the lifeblood of Wakatobi people, most of whom are fishermen,” he said.

Now that we’ve joined patrols with officers, we’ve gained knowledge of the boundaries and can actively contribute to preserving the productivity of the sea. We sincerely hope that the community, particularly fishermen, will remain steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding Wakatobi’s marine areas. After all, the sea is the very essence of Wakatobi’s existence, and the majority of its inhabitants are fishermen.

In addition to patrols, the community also records fishing activities, monitors marine tourism, and conducts conservation outreach at the village level. This participatory approach has proven effective in reducing conflicts over marine space use while strengthening legal awareness and ecological responsibility among residents.

Synergy for Sustainable Marine Protection

With its 1.32 million-hectare conservation area and rich biodiversity, Wakatobi serves as a successful example of community-based area management in Indonesia. This collaborative programme not only enhances marine ecosystem protection but also ensures that local communities actively participate in safeguarding the natural heritage that sustains their lives.

YKAN and BTNW have supported various conservation partnership groups and Sara Adat councils on islands such as Tomia, Wangi-Wangi, and Kaledupa. Beyond SOP development, YKAN facilitates training, strengthens traditional institutions, and educates communities on sustainable fishing and the protection of protected marine species.

YKAN’s Senior Ocean Protection Manager, Yusuf Fajariyanto, explained that collaboration among communities, government, and conservation organisations is a key model for protecting Indonesia’s marine conservation areas.

“This collaboration not only preserves marine ecosystems but also sustains the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of coastal communities. By involving communities as primary partners, conservation area management can run more effectively and sustainably. Protecting Wakatobi is not just about conservation, but also about preserving the identity and pride of coastal communities,” Yusuf concluded.

The joint efforts of BTNW, YKAN, and customary communities demonstrate that conservation is not only about protecting ecosystems but also about building a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for the sea. Through regular patrols, participatory monitoring, and the application of customary values aligned with national law, Wakatobi exemplifies how conservation can grow from the community roots. With strengthened synergy and rising awareness, Wakatobi is not only a protected area but also a symbol of harmony between people and nature to be passed down to future generations.