Indonesian Conservation
By: Ni Putu Ary Pratiwi
The afternoon sky in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara, glowed orange as Isnardi Hidayat relaxed in a wooden pavilion overlooking the beach. He occasionally greeted passersby. The young man, known as Ardi, has returned to his village of Labuan Jambu after years of wandering. For him, the sea is not just a backdrop for his life, but a constant call that calls him home.
Ardi is a member of the Community of Young People with Insight into Aquatic Resource Management in Saleh Bay, better known as KAWAN Teluk Saleh. This community was born from the concern of young people in Labuan Jambu to preserve their ecosystem heritage, especially the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the gentle giant that has become an icon of Saleh Bay's waters.
Ardi has been close to the sea since childhood, even though he worked at a fish processing facility after high school. The routine of sorting fish for export never completely extinguished his dream of becoming like the researchers he watched on National Geographic.
Ardi began living his dream in 2017, when he joined the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) and came into direct contact with researchers from Conservation International. It was then that he truly learned about marine ecosystems and the existence of whale sharks for the first time.
However, in 2019, life forced him to move to Kalimantan, seeking new experiences. After five years away from the sea, he still hadn't settled in. "I woke up in the morning to no sound of fishing boats, no crashing waves," he recalled. That longing eventually drove him home.
Ardi's return was warmly welcomed by Chen, his childhood friend and now the head of KAWAN. Chen himself has known whale sharks since he was 12, when he first saw the giants of the sea from a small boat. Now, he operates whale shark tours and believes that the presence of this species brings economic benefits to the community. Under the leadership of Chen and other young friends, KAWAN Teluk Saleh has grown into a platform that not only educates but also mobilizes community participation.
Ardi has finally found his niche in whale shark conservation. He's responsible for public education and waste management. In his easygoing way, he admits to frequently inserting messages about the ocean in coffee shops, on the docks, and at the Whale Shark Education Center.
"When the men gather, I just stay out of the way. It's light conversation, but the message resonates," he said with a smile. He realized he wasn't suited to teaching in a classroom like his elementary school teacher mother. He felt more comfortable speaking freely in the field, connecting people with conservation issues.
Their efforts don't happen in isolation. On January 7, 2025, KAWAN was officially recognized through a Decree from the NTB Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service, as an initiative with an official legal framework. Now, in addition to its seven core administrators, KAWAN is also recruiting members from various regions in NTB.
For several years now, the people of Teluk Saleh have considered whale sharks not only a symbol of pride but also a source of livelihood. Their presence has created new jobs for fishermen, transportation services, tourism, and even young videographers. They also realize that all of this can only continue if the ecosystem is maintained. This is where KAWAN's role becomes crucial. They must ensure a balance between ecology and the economy.
Ardi is now one of the young people who has benefited from his involvement. He has become more confident in public speaking and has even become more fluent in English, allowing him to interact with tourists.
For him, storytelling is the best way to protect the ocean. Now, every time he stands before schoolchildren visiting the Whale Shark Education Center, or explains the importance of sustainable tourism to tourists, he's increasingly proud that his decision to return home was the best decision of his life. "I used to think dreams had to be pursued far away. It turns out, sometimes dreams are waiting for us to return," he said.
