The Minister of Home Affairs encourages Nusa Penida to become an integrated Green Island

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto encourages the Klungkung Regency Government (Pemkab) to mature the concept of "Green Island" as a direction for the development of Nusa Penida.

Bima assessed that Nusa Penida has a strong appeal as a sustainable tourist destination. He even called the area a "hidden paradise" or a hidden paradise that has not been fully touched.

"I remember when I was a child there was a comic about Nusa Penida. Well, now that I'm here, my main impression is that this is a hidden paradise that has not been touched," said Bima in his statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 17.

He conveyed this after the Dialogue and Presentation of the Potential of Nusa Penida Tourism by the Regent of Klungkung at the Seven Dreams Hotel, Klungkung Regency, Bali.

According to him, the concept of "Green Island" presented by Regent of Klungkung I Made Satria is a strategic concept. He emphasized that the approach must be arranged in a complete and integrated manner, ranging from waste management, renewable energy, to vehicle restrictions and strengthening local culture.

"So if I suggest Mr., this Green Island concept, we mature it, integrate it all, and then from there we will derive, which we pursue from loans, which we pursue from corporations, which from CSR (corporate social responsibility), which from investors like that," he said.

Bima expressed his readiness to help strengthen the concept, including opening a space for cross-ministerial coordination. He also emphasized the importance of the solidity of the regional apparatus in realizing the vision. According to him, the success of regional heads is determined by the cohesiveness and team spirit.

Bima also highlighted the importance of the integration between the big concept and the spatial planning documents, including the Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR). He reminded that the vision of "Green Island" must be accommodated in the official planning of the local government (Pemda).

Apart from physical and infrastructure aspects, Bima emphasized the importance of social development and community character in supporting the concept. According to him, good area design must be accompanied by social strengthening.

He also reminded that the momentum of the development of Nusa Penida tourism should not be missed. The enthusiasm of tourists, according to him, must be maintained by accelerating the improvement of infrastructure and supporting ecosystems. Because, without rapid improvement, he is worried that the high expectations of tourists will lead to disappointment.

"This is momentum. If it is not [guarded], it can pass. I see, the enthusiasm is starting [to develop], only later when tourists are disappointed here, they won't come back, right?" he said.