Ecotourism-Based Community Partnership Program for the Conservation of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Sangalaki Island, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan

Abstract

Sangalaki Island in the Derawan Islands, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, is an important
habitat for the conservation of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata). A unique phenomenon occurring is the increase in the number
of hatchling births in 2024 compared to previous years, but facing challenges of sex ratio
imbalance due to rising sand temperature on the beach. This Community Partnership
Program (PKM) aims to develop an ecotourism-based conservation model that involves
local communities in turtle conservation efforts. The method used is a participatory
approach involving the Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) East
Kalimantan, local communities, and tourists. Research results show that more than 3,700
turtles nest annually on this 280-hectare island. The novelty of this program is the
implementation of egg relocation technology to artificial nests with optimum temperature
control to maintain the sex ratio balance of hatchlings. The PKM program successfully
increased community awareness about turtle conservation and created alternative income
sources through ecotourism