By: Alexandra Maheswari, Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Program Site Manager Alor

The activists who planted the rock piles in Batu Putih Hamlet, Alor called this movement "Gembala", the Movement to Return the Rock to the Sea. The goal is to reduce the tendency of people to mine sand, gravel, rocks and coral reefs in the sea. After knowing the important role of coral reefs as "fish houses" and the presence of coral reefs and coastal sand and rocks as a barrier to the coastline from the threat of abrasion, it is hoped that the community can be more concerned and reduce pressure on the environment.

The issue of mining sand, gravel, and rocks from the coast

Sand, gravel and stone mining is one of the most discussed issues in areas inhabited by people living on the coast, including in Alor Regency. Since 2012, the Regional Government has stipulated Alor Regency Regional Regulation No. 03 of 2012 which regulates the collection of materials categorized as C excavation materials and regulates their use. Provisions in Law No. 23 of 2014 that mention the authority of the water area 0-200 miles from the coastline indicate the authority of the water area is in the management area of the NTT Provincial Maritime and Fisheries Service.

The establishment of the Pantar Strait and Surrounding Sea Nature Reserve conservation area has not necessarily made the management in it 100% effective, especially in terms of supervision and law enforcement. Determining the right strategy in the management of marine protected areas should ideally be the concern of every stakeholder who plays a role in the management of a conservation area.

The community stated that they still collect stones because there is still demand from the community, especially from Kalabahi City. Demand is one of the important aspects in the trade chain of this mining commodity. Since the 2000s, Alor people have been introduced to building houses with bricks which are considered more "feasible". From there, the community rationally uses materials that exist in their coastal nature as materials to build private homes and public facilities.

In an interview session with the Batu Putih Hamlet community, one person stated that the income from selling stones each month was not enough and not worth the effort. This is much different from catching fish or cultivating seaweed which has a higher economic value and benefits.

However, this work, which is often done by women, remains an option because it is a side job that can be done to support the family economy.

Ideally, the current utilization of coastal areas is important to be supported by an environmental carrying capacity study so that the ability of an area to accept the impact of exploitation can be known.

Reducing pressure can be done by knowing other potential alternative livelihoods that can be carried out according to the identity of each region. Encouraging activities that can be carried out by the community such as seaweed cultivation, improving fisheries and agricultural processing, and developing tourism can be some alternatives to destructive utilization activities.

Ferryanto Padabain, staff of the Alor Regency Tourism Office, the initiator of the Gembala jargon expressed his hope that the people of Alor will become more concerned and love the environment. "In addition to Gembala, there is also Gempala - the Movement to Return Sand to the Sea," he said.

Ferry also expressed the importance of cooperation and support between government agencies to make this movement resonate. "We can start by voicing this movement through radios in Alor," he added.