Karang Reef Conservation Through The Koralestari Program Aims For The Welfare Of The Local Community

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Conservation Foundation of Alam Nusantara (YKAN) states that coral reef conservation through the Koralestari Program with the government, is intended to improve the welfare of the community, especially fishermen around conservation areas. Koralestari program which is part of the blue economy policy can increase the growth and fish development of conservation areas so that the surrounding community can enjoy these fish. "To improve efforts to protect and restore coral reefs through boosts in blue economic activity, YKAN together with partners initiated the Koralestari program," said Director of Marine Program YKAN Muhammad Ilman in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, quoted from Antara, Monday, July 15. This Koralestari program supported by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), he said, was first launched in Kupang, NTT, on July 1, 2024, then launched also in Samarinda, Kaltim, on July 9, 2024. He stated that coral reef ecosystems in East Kalimantan have great potential, namely that in addition to including the Karang Reefex Triangle (Coral Triangle), a number of waters in East Kalimantan have also become conservation areas. "Even so, conservation areas in East Kalimantan are still difficult to reach because of the lack of institutional strength, 90 percent of coral reef damage is caused by community livelihood activities," he said. For this reason, he and the government continue to encourage institutional development, with the goal of conservation areas, it can be more effective as well as able to assist in developing people's livelihoods. According to the Director of Marine Maritime Conservation and Diversity of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKHL KKP) Muhammad Firdaus Agung, the Koralestari Program in Indonesia covers 4.1 million hectares.

This area is located in three areas, the first is in the Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Areas of Derawan Islands and Around Waters (KKP3K-KDPS), namely in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Second, in the Savu Sea Waters National Park (TNP) area, East Nusa Tenggara Province, and the third in the Lingga Regional Waters Conservation Area (KKPD) Lingga Regency, Riau Islands Province. The vision of the Koralestari Program is the transformation of coral reef protection and restoration efforts through sustainable financing, from water conservation for the sustainability of coral reefs, so as to increase the income of the surrounding community, and coastal resilience to climate change. "In optimizing the Koralestary Program, it is necessary to pay attention to three aspects, namely conservation, funding, and economics to reduce pressure on coral reefs," he said.