ITDC Collects 7.2 Tons Of Garbage From Tanjung Aan Mandalika Beach Area

JAKARTA - The problem of garbage in coastal areas is still a big challenge for tourist destinations in Indonesia. Every year, thousands of tons of plastic waste and non-organic waste are carried away by ocean currents and piled up on beautiful beaches of the archipelago.

In addition to damaging marine ecosystems and threatening water biota, piles of garbage can also reduce tourist attraction and the comfort of visitors. Therefore, sustainable environmental management is an important step to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of superior tourist destinations, including in the Mandalika area, West Nusa Tenggara.

InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) noted that a total of 7.2 tons of waste has been collected from coastal areas and road access to Tanjung Aan Beach, which is included in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK), NTB.

"Most of the waste consists of plastic and non-organic waste carried by ocean currents," said Pgs General Manager of The Mandalika Agus Setiawan in Central Lombok, Sunday.

Cleaning activities have been carried out every day since October 16, 2025, until now by maintenance and cleaning staff of the area from around the village, with the support of the ITDC operational truck fleet that transports garbage to the Pengat Final Disposal Site (TPA).

"We are increasing the intensity of environmental management in The Mandalika area, to realize the vision of building a world-class tourism area," he said.

He explained that entering the rainy season, Tanjung Aan Beach began to be affected by sea debris shipments due to changes in the current and direction of the west wind.

"Entering this rainy season, Tanjung Aan Beach, which is starting to be affected by sea debris shipments due to changes in currents and the direction of the west wind," he said.

Agus added that beach cleaning activities are an anticipatory step for ITDC in dealing with increased rainfall which often brings garbage from the sea.

"Entering the rainy season, the southern sea current tends to bring garbage material from other areas to the coast of The Mandalika, including Tanjung Aan. We are moving to involve local communities to ensure the area remains clean, safe and comfortable for visitors," he said.

According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the West Nusa Tenggara region began to enter the rainy season from late October to early November. The shift in wind and increasing sea waves in this period is the cause of the increase in the volume of shipping waste on the southern coast of Lombok.

Agus explained that local community participation is an important part of ITDC's strategy to maintain environmental sustainability in the Mandalika tourist area. In addition to helping maintain cleanliness, this activity also has a positive economic impact on local residents.

"We believe that the management of sustainable destinations is not only a matter of maintaining cleanliness, but also building collaboration with the community, as partners that protect the face of tourist areas," he added.

As part of the InJourney Group ecosystem, ITDC continues to strengthen synergies between tourism destinations to provide world-class tourism that remains environmentally friendly.

"Our commitment is to ensure every area we manage, including The Mandalika, grow up as a clean, green destination, and provide tangible benefits to the local community," he said.