Derawan Islands: East Kalimantan, Indonesia

By Wombat | July 26th, 2006 | 2 Comments »

Located on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan in the Sulawesi Sea, the Derawan islands are known as one of the most biodiversity-rich hotspots in the world.

However, a variety of manmade threats endanger its beauty. The Berau administration has declared its total area of 1.27 million hectares a marine conservancy region. It hopes to slow down the rate of environmental destruction.

Who could resist the temptation to cuddle elegant manta rays and dolphins or swim with sea turtles, whales and sharks in the pristine water of Derawan islands located in the Sulawesi Sea, on the coastal shelf of East Kalimantan?

If that does not sound tempting to you, how about embracing hundreds of rare, stingless jellyfish in a brackish lake in an atoll that developed after many hundreds of years of evolution?

Only a few people could defy the call. My colleague who went on a recent tour to the Derawan islands organized by TNC jumped into the water shortly after we arrived there.

Apparently he had forgotten he is water-phobic and unable to swim!

Located in the global biodiversity hotspot, the Derawan islands marine region is home to 872 species of reef fish, 507 coral, eight species of sea grass, a number of sea mammals and invertebrates such as sea turtles and the coconut crab.

Occupying a total 1.27 million hectares of maritime territory, it lies within the jurisdiction of the Berau administration. It consists of 31 islands, including Derawan itself. The Derawan islands have made their name abroad for their breathtaking underwater scenery, which attracts divers from around the globe.

Although one can easily spot colorful fish from the water surface, this does not mean that living conditions there are perfect. If you snorkle or dive, you will notice deserted spots amid colorful coral. Here and there you will come across pale, bleached coral due to destructive fishing practices and pollution.

Indeed, the Derawan islands suffer some of the classical problems attributable to mankind’s destructive side, including overexploitation, destructive fishing using cyanide and explosives, plus increased sedimentation caused by the intensity of logging activities.

Worse, locals have heavily exploited turtle eggs in the largest green turtle nesting site in Indonesia.

It is fortunate that many parties, including high-profile, international, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), have offered to do what they can to conserve the environment of the Derawan islands marine region. TNC-Indonesia and WWF-Indonesia, which have collaborated on the TNC-WWF maritime joint program in Derawan islands, and other groups, including local NGO Bestari, have been working on conservation of the Derawan islands. The area has been proposed by the Office of the State Minister of the Environment for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On top of that, Derawan islands is grateful to have a number of environmentally aware leaders. Initiated by former regent Masdjuni, Regent Makmur successfully convinced the regency legislative council to adopt a regulation declaring the whole Berau maritime region a marine conservation area last year.

It is hoped the regulation will slow down — or even halt altogether — destruction of the maritime region.

“The maritime area is our life. It must be protected,” said Makmur, whose administration has become the first regency in the country to take such an initiative.

Masdjuni, Makmur and Derawan island subdistrict head Iramsyah have been given a Leaders for a Living Planet certificate by the TNC-WWF program for their involvement in preserving the marine environment.

Supported by the enthusiasm of the NGOs, the Berau administration has been promoting the move across the regency and the Derawan islands to seek support from local residents.

They, too, are currently drafting plans for management of the area.

Yaya Mulyana, the conservancy and marine national park director of the maritime and fisheries department, welcomed the initiative of the Berau administration.

“It sets a very good example for other regency administrations across the country to support the government to reach its target of establishing protected marine areas in Indonesia totaling 10 million hectares by 2010,” he said.

The Derawan islands deserve protection from all parties, from the government to local fishermen. Located in one of the most remote areas of Kalimantan, they also deserve security protection from the central government. They contain abundant natural resources. Despite the significant coral reefs, the Derawan islands are also home to Semama island, which serves as an important bird sanctuary.

n addition, Kakaban island contains the world’s largest and most diverse jellyfish lake with its four unique species of stingless jellyfish.

Recent marine surveys by TNC and a team of international experts showed the area contains more than 460 different species of coral, giving it the world’s second-highest level of hard coral diversity after the Raja Ampat Islands in Papua.

Whether or not the Berau administration’s initiative is a success remains to be seen.

However, it is worthy of praise as all concerned parties are obliged to support it in a bid to save one of the last areas of underwater paradise on earth.