Looking back at Derawan Island, which has made an achievement in the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in 2024 as the Best Tourism Village, Ranked Third in the Digital Category, the hope of Derawan Island going global and sustainable is not just a discourse. However, the rapid growth of tourism in Derawan Island faces several challenges that are urgent to overcome.

"Derawan Island is very rich in tourism potential, with the main value of marine tourism. However, it also has various challenges that require consistent and directed handling, such as the absence of integrated waste and waste management sites, uncontrolled accommodation development, and interactions in the tourism business," said I Gusti Ngurah Ardita, who has experience as Managing Director and General Manager of the Injourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) The Nusa Dua-Bali, together with Ni Ketut Arismayanti from the Tourism Faculty of Udayana University.

Previously, the experts had observed the potential of marine tourism on Derawan Island. Then discuss with relevant stakeholders about the problems and challenges faced on Derawan Island. Furthermore, they developed recommendations for responsible marine tourism management plans, as well as integrated waste and waste management on Derawan Island.

Ni Ketut Arismayanti said, "Although in the midst of these challenges, Derawan Island also has the opportunity to improve into a sustainable tourism center, and can become an educational center through several strategic initiatives."

This formulated governance plan document is expected to be a reference and direction for sustainable marine tourism development on Derawan Island. The formulation of the right strategy is very important to ensure the sustainability of tourism. This strategy is derived in the form of programs or activities that are expected to be able to answer the problems faced by Derawan Island, "he added.

To continue to maintain its commitment to realizing sustainable marine tourism, the Derawan Island Village Government, together with WWF Indonesia Foundation, conducted socialization and public consultation activities of Derawan Island Village governance plan documents related to responsible marine tourism and integrated waste management. Through this plan, Derawan Island is expected to not only become a marine tourism destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, but also actively educate, involve, and empower local communities on environmental, socio-economic, cultural aspects, and management effectiveness.

Indra Mahardika, Head of Derawan Island Village, said, "The socialization of the Derawan Island governance plan document has gone through a long process with support from various parties. So, this socialization is a picture of the future of Derawan Island".

"One of the programs that will be implemented in the near future is the 3R TPS on Derawan Island, which will be a pioneer for other villages", he concluded.

From the data collected by WWF Indonesia Foundation together with Muhammadiyah Berau University and Derawan Island community groups in 2024, the waste production apart from household activities is also generated from non-household waste such as restaurants, hotels, schools, offices, and shops in Derawan Island Village with an annual accumulation of 11.16 tons, or equal to 30.57 kg per day. This increase in the amount of waste often increases during weekends and long holidays related to tourist activities.

Site Coordinator for Derawan MPA of WWF Indonesia Foundation, Lukman Ade Kurniawan, revealed, "To support the Derawan Island village governance program, one of the things that will be supported as an initial stage is to develop the concept of TPS 3R in a participatory manner that will affect the principles of sustainable marine tourism. This is done by involving the Derawan Island community and related parties, including the Derawan Island government."

"It is hoped that with this TPS 3R, it can later help reduce the production of waste generation, prevent negative impacts from marine tourism activities, especially preventing leakage of waste into the sea. In addition, it can also be an educational forum to increase public awareness of the environment on Derawan Island," he concluded.

The socialization activity was attended by representatives of the East Kalimantan Provincial Maritime and Fisheries Service, Berau Regency Culture and Tourism Office, Berau Regency Environment and Hygiene Office, Berau Regency Fisheries Office, Derawan Island Sub-district Government, as well as Derawan Island community groups who were actively involved in the preparation of the Derawan Island development and structuring plan. Furthermore, socialization and discussion on the Derawan Island governance plan document related to sustainable marine tourism and integrated waste management on Derawan Island will continue.