Partnership with BKKPN Kupang
Yesterday, five dive centers located within the Gili Matra Marine Park reaffirmed their partnership with BKKPN Kupang, showing once again their commitment to protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Gili Islands. The dive centers—Blue Marlin, Trawangan Dive, 3W, Dream Divers, and Oceans 5 Gili Air—remain the only five businesses on the islands officially cooperating with BKKPN.
Their continued collaboration is more than symbolic. These centers actively help BKKPN collect essential ecological data from the marine park. For them, the Gili Matra Marine Park is not just a backdrop for tourism—it is a living environment with immense ecological value, deserving both respect and long-term protection.
SIUPKK: A Milestone in Marine Conservation
In 2021, the Indonesian government introduced SIUPKK (Surat Izin Usaha Pengelolaan Kawasan Konservasi), a conservation license specifically for foreign-owned companies operating in Indonesia. This was a groundbreaking step that formally required businesses in protected areas to align with conservation values.
Oceans 5 Gili Air became the first company in Indonesia to obtain this license, setting a precedent that other responsible dive centers quickly followed. Still, out of the many dive businesses in the Gili Islands, only five chose to take the additional step of signing a long-term agreement with BKKPN Kupang.
This decision clearly distinguishes them as operators who recognize the value of the marine park and are willing to contribute to its long-term sustainability.
Challenges Facing the Marine Park
The Gili Matra Marine Park is under mounting pressure from unsustainable development and poor land management practices. In recent years, the islands have seen:
- Illegal beach structures such as walls and restaurants built in restricted areas.
- Beach erosion caused by these unregulated constructions.
- Light and noise pollution from businesses that disturb nesting turtles and other wildlife.
- Water management problems, which harm both the ecosystem and the community.
Much of this stems from new investors ignoring Indonesian land zoning laws that classify the Gili Islands as conservation land. Under these laws, only environmentally friendly and sustainable businesses are allowed to operate. Unfortunately, many copy neighboring developments without realizing the long-term environmental consequences.
The result is a slow but visible decline in the health of the ecosystem—fewer turtle nesting sites, damaged beaches, and a disrupted balance between tourism and conservation.
Why Partnerships with BKKPN Matter
The five dive centers’ partnership with BKKPN is crucial because it represents more than compliance—it’s about actively shaping a sustainable future for the marine park. By collecting scientific data, supporting reef monitoring, and promoting conservation values among divers, these dive centers contribute directly to policymaking and marine protection strategies.
They also set an example for others in the tourism industry, proving that quality, sustainability, and long-term visionare more important than short-term profits.
Looking Ahead
The Gili Islands continue to attract thousands of visitors each year, drawn by their turquoise waters, coral reefs, and unique island culture. But the future of the islands depends on the balance between tourism and conservation.
The continued partnership between Blue Marlin, Trawangan Dive, 3W, Dream Divers, and Oceans 5 with BKKPN Kupang marks an important step in ensuring that balance is maintained.
These five dive centers understand that protecting the environment is not only a responsibility but also the foundation of their livelihood. By committing to conservation, they are helping to ensure that future generations can experience the natural beauty of the Gili Matra Marine Park.