Author: Ayu Ginanjar Syukur (Marine Ecotourism Improvement Program Officer, WWF-Indonesia)

Translated by Evert W Fanggidae

A different view was seen in Meko’s water of Adonara island, East Flores on 17 January 2018. Instead of finding fishermen doing their fishing activities, there were youth learning being marine tourism guides. The scene was actually the last part of an event organized by WWF-Indonesia, Best Environmental Equitable Practices (BEEP).

During the simulation, the rain was pouring hard. However, all the participants were burnt in spirit as Mr. Bakri Lolo Wajo, the head of Kelompok Bangkit Muda Mudi (BM3), encouraged them with such powerful yelling

“Rise! the youth of Mekko! Rise!”, he yelled.

Based on WWF 2016 data, 2 types of sharks, blacktip and whitetip sharks, were seen quite often wondering in the area. More, Mekko is also famous for its beautiful white sand and its magnetic effect on, both local and foreign, tourists. Thus, due to the facts above, Mekko’s marine has become one of Regional Marine Protected Areas and a target area to support the better management and protection of sharks’ important habitat.

Referring to the above information, as in the Three Principles of Sustainability, a responsible tourism is needed as to preserve natural resources and sites, protect socio-culture values, and to strengthen sustainable business sectors. 

The participants of the event, after understanding the concept of responsible tourism, learned to better operate a tourist boat for snorkelling participants and the to understand the dos and don’ts of interacting with sea creatures.

The BEEP event was participated by 24 members and non-members of Bangkit Muda Mudi Mekko Group. The event was started with a pre-test and ended with a post-test showing that 75% of the participants were positively advantaged by the program.

The BEEP program is actually an effort to better increase the capacity of society-based tourism. Thus, the program is considered necessary to help local people of a certain tourist site becoming a better host for its guests.

Making sure the event to run was not easy task as there were limitations and problems. However, among all obstacles, the availability of limited diesel generators was the biggest problem as they were running only within the time period of 18.00 to 22.00. The nature also contributed to test the participants commitment in participating. However, heavy rain during the simulation didn’t hold the fully-committed participants back.  

Bangkit Muda Mudi Mekko Group didn’t have an easy start when initiating their organization. All started when a football-fan group of youth had a desire to gather in a well-organized group but lack consistency. Having the group dispersed and re-organized many times during their first year was a big struggle. Until 1 May 2016, when a group of committed youth initiated to establish the Bangkit Muda Mudi group.

The group has been legalized through a Village Chief Decree No.10/2017 about its area of activities including: marine and fishery, tourism, and many more. 

More efforts are needed to make real of responsible tourism. There more homework to finish, thus we need to ‘Rise’!