Wakatobi National Park Authority and YKAN Socialize SOP on Natural Resource Monitoring Based on Indigenous Communities

The Wakatobi National Park Authority (BTNW), with the support of Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), has developed and socialized a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Protection and Security with the Community in the Wakatobi National Park area. This aims to ensure that community-based natural resource monitoring in the Wakatobi National Park can be effectively carried out without conflicting with applicable regulations. The socialization occurred in Kaledupa Subdistrict, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Darman, the Head of the Wakatobi National Park Authority, stated that the SOP developed together with YKAN, aims to establish community-based protection, conservation, and sustainable utilization by defining protected areas, methods, and implementation procedures and identifying the parties or stakeholders involved in these protection activities.

"The management of natural resources in Wakatobi National Park must provide economic benefits to the surrounding communities while prioritizing ecological and ecosystem sustainability by involving the community to prevent environmentally unfriendly practices," Darman explained.

According to Darman, this SOP's targets include monitoring traditional zones (areas utilized by local communities and inhabited coastal zones), providing guidance and education related to natural resource conservation, preventing destructive activities (such as blast fishing, mangrove deforestation, beach sand mining, etc.), and supervising the activities of natural resource users.

"The enforcement of rules in this monitoring activity is based on principles aligned with legislation and is educational, such as through outreach and education. Additionally, all forms of protection must be coordinated with the parties involved, specifically BTNW," he added.

"The enforcement of rules in this monitoring activity is based on principles aligned with legislation and is educational, such as through outreach and education. Additionally, all forms of protection must be coordinated with the parties involved, specifically BTNW," he added.

The Barata Kahedupa traditional institution received the SOP well. The leader of the Indigenous Community in Kaledupa Island, La Ode Saidin, noted that the indigenous people in the Wakatobi National Park area, especially Kaledupa Island, have long upheld traditional values in conserving natural resources, such as using environmentally friendly fishing gear, managing resource utilization spaces, strictly protecting certain areas, and setting no-take zones for specific periods.

"The people of Wakatobi have grown with traditional values in managing natural resources, both on land and at sea. Therefore, the customary and formal systems share the goal of conserving natural resources and biodiversity. These two systems can be elaborated and collaborated on through the SOP that has been developed," said La Ode Saidin.

"We hope this SOP will continue to be socialized in other areas of Wakatobi so that the community and other parties share a common perspective on the importance of protecting and conserving the Wakatobi National Park," he added.

Involvement of Barata Kahedupa Traditional Council in the Conservation of Wakatobi National Park

YKAN supports the active involvement of the Barata Kahedupa Traditional Council in the Wakatobi National Park management strategy, particularly on Kaledupa Island.

Wakatobi Regent Regulation No. 44 of 2018 concerning the Protection and Management of Coastal and Marine Resources Based on the Indigenous Laws of Barata Kahedupa within the Kaledupa Island Region of Wakatobi Regency has strengthened the role of the Barata Kahedupa Traditional Council in preserving natural resources.

"With the issuance of this regulation by the Wakatobi Regent, the role and position of the Barata Kahedupa Traditional Council as a frontline in preserving Wakatobi National Park have been further solidified. Through its traditional values and local wisdom, the Traditional Council has a strong bond with the natural resources they depend on," said YKAN's Wakatobi Program Coordinator, La Ode Arifudin.

In addition to BTNW and YKAN, the SOP socialization on Protection and Security with the Community in Kaledupa Subdistrict was attended by representatives from the Kaledupa and South Kaledupa police stations, the Kaledupa military command, the head of the conservation partnership group, leaders of the Barata Kahedupa Traditional Council, and the Community.