Derawan, August 14, 2025. Derawan Island, a small island in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, has gained international recognition as one of the prime marine tourism destinations. It serves as an entry point for visitors wishing to enjoy the coastal and underwater beauty. Iconic marine species such as turtles, whale sharks, and dolphins are frequently encountered in its waters.Since the early 2010s, the rapid growth of the tourism sector on Derawan Island has brought positive impacts to the local economy. According to data from the Berau Regency Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of visitors to Derawan Subdistrict, both domestic and international, reached 34,160 people in 2024. However, despite the positive growth, significant challenges have emerged in environmental management, particularly waste management.In 2023, approximately 80 non-residential buildings, including accommodations and restaurants, were actively serving tourists and locals. While playing a crucial role in supporting tourism activities, these buildings also became major sources of waste. On average, the total non-residential waste generated reached 46,105.1 kilograms per day, an astonishing amount for an island with only 44.6 hectares of land.This situation highlights that without a more integrated and sustainable waste management system, Derawan, a conservation area, risks losing its appeal and ecological balance. Plastic waste pollution poses a threat to the health of the ecosystem and marine species, especially the turtles that are an iconic symbol of Derawan and Berau Regency.The lack of a comprehensive waste management facility on Derawan Island has resulted in improper handling of most household and tourism waste. Waste is often burned, buried, or even directly dumped into the sea. This practice not only pollutes the environment but also threatens the marine ecosystem that serves as the backbone and major tourist attraction of the area. "Plastic waste has become a serious concern for both the local community and the government of Derawan Village," said Derawan Village Head, Indra Mahardika.He emphasized that the current waste management system is still very limited. "We need better waste management. The waste is not sorted and is instead directly dumped into the final disposal site," he added.Since June 2024, the Berau District Government, supported by WWF Indonesia and development consultants, has conducted surveys and developed the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development on Derawan Island. The plan includes the development of an integrated waste management system as one of its main priorities.The development of a Waste Management Facility based on the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle (TPS3R) concept in Derawan Village is a crucial part of implementing this master plan. The TPS3R will not only serve as a technical solution but also symbolize the commitment to maintaining the balance between tourism development and environmental conservation. Currently, few coastal conservation areas and small islands have waste management facilities, and Derawan needs to set an example for others.The process of building the TPS3R in Derawan Village started from scratch, beginning with the purchase of a 20 x 20-meter plot of land. Legal steps were taken gradually, starting with securing land release letters from the Derawan Village Government and ultimately obtaining the Land Use Rights Certificate (SHP). Intensive coordination with various relevant departments has been carried out, and the construction permit has now been officially issued. The TPS3R construction is ready to commence.Indra Mahardika, the Village Head of Derawan, has been actively supporting each stage of the process. "The legal and licensing procedures took quite some time, more than a year," he said.WWF Indonesia has been assisting sustainability efforts in Derawan Village, particularly strengthening waste management to address the threat of plastic waste to the area and its species. WWF's support also includes guiding the community in changing behaviors related to single-use plastic consumption, improving local waste management capacity, and strengthening local economic initiatives that support sustainable practices."Through the development of the TPS3R, we hope the people of Derawan will be more supported and actively involved, not only in maintaining environmental cleanliness but also in sorting and managing waste as a valuable resource. This participation will strengthen the sense of ownership over the facility and create local business opportunities based on the circular economy," said Dr. Imam Musthofa Zainudin, Director of Marine and Fisheries Program, WWF Indonesia.The TPS3R in Derawan is planned to begin construction at a groundbreaking event in early September. The presence of this facility will not only address environmental and aesthetic issues in the tourism area but also strategically strengthen Derawan's identity as a clean, sustainable, and responsible marine tourism destination. With the TPS3R, Derawan is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable tourism that benefits both nature and local communities.Furthermore, as part of strengthening the TPS3R in Derawan Island, supporting equipment for waste management will be provided to aid daily operations. Training on waste sorting and processing will also be offered to local leaders and community members. The goal is for residents to manage waste independently, even turning it into economically valuable products. Proper waste management will create new economic opportunities on Derawan Island.The hope is that Derawan Village can become a model for effective waste management for other small islands in Indonesia. Beyond infrastructure development, this TPS3R initiative reflects a spirit of collaboration between the community, government, and development partners in achieving sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. The TPS3R procurement process will begin with a ceremonial activity as a symbol of joint commitment to preserving the environment and improving the quality of life for local communities.
Derawan, an island cluster in East Kalimantan, is widely known as a premier marine tourism destination. Beyond its tourism appeal, however, the area harbors extraordinary biodiversity, serving as home to various key marine species that are now threatened with extinction. To safeguard them, a joint team from WWF-Indonesia, BPSPL Pontianak, the Technical Implementation Unit for Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Areas (KKP3K) of the Derawan Islands and Surrounding Waters, and the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) conducted a cross-sector scientific expedition to identify critical habitats in Derawan waters.Technology-based surveys were carried out from the sky to the seafloor to identify important habitats for protected and endangered marine species. Using drone technology, the team was able to monitor vast stretches of ocean efficiently, including areas difficult to access by boat or divers. Aerial data provided insights into the numbers, behavior, and spatial distribution of species such as turtles and marine mammals—without disrupting their natural activities.Beneath the surface, survey methods such as time swim, photo identification, and BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) were employed to visually record the presence of species. The team also applied the Capture-Mark-Recapture method for the giant guitarfish (Glaucostegus typus)—a conservation priority species classified as Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction.During the habitat survey, hundreds of sea turtles were recorded using the area for nesting, feeding, and resting. Dozens of dolphins were also observed passing through, with mating behavior documented—further confirming the area’s role as both a migration corridor and an important social ground for marine mammals.Even more remarkable, the area was identified as a nursery ground for giant guitarfish. Such nursery habitats are crucial for the survival of juveniles, providing safe spaces for them to grow and develop.In addition, the surveys confirmed the presence of other marine species, including whale sharks, thresher sharks, sperm whales, stingless jellyfish, and abundant reef fish. These findings reaffirm that Derawan waters are a vital habitat for a wide range of protected and endangered marine species, while also holding significant potential for biodiversity-based conservation and ecotourism.As part of the global commitment to safeguard marine biodiversity, WWF-Indonesia has been actively implementing conservation programs in the Derawan Islands. The focus includes strengthening the management of marine protected areas, protecting endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species, supporting sustainable fisheries involving local communities, and promoting responsible tourism practices.WWF-Indonesia is also developing a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Waste Processing Facility (TPS 3R) to support better waste management—addressing household waste as well as waste generated by marine tourism activities.These programs contribute to the government’s Blue Economy targets, including Indonesia’s commitment to protect 30% of its marine areas by 2045. Implementation is carried out through close collaboration with government partners, academics, and local communities as part of a long-term sustainability approach.By positioning Derawan as a model of inclusive conservation that also supports local livelihoods, WWF-Indonesia demonstrates that ocean conservation is not only about protecting nature but also about building a future where people and the sea coexist in harmony.Support WWF-Indonesia in advancing the management of critical habitats for ETP species in Derawan waters—for the sustainability of Indonesia’s marine ecosystems, the nation’s natural heritage, and the future of generations to come.
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