RRI.CO.ID, Mataram - Mataram City Administration in West Nusa Tenggara has completed the installation of boulder breakwaters along Ampenan Beach. The initiative serves as a strategic move to safeguard coastal communities without disrupting the livelihoods of local fishermen. 

As reported by Antara, this infrastructure project specifically targets the recurring threats of coastal erosion and tidal flooding, known locally as rob, which have increasingly pressured the North Lombok coastline. Unlike traditional high-wall sea defenses, these boulders are laid in a low-profile, scattered formation to ensure that residents can still navigate the shoreline with ease.

Lale Widiahning, Head of the Mataram City Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Agency, confirmed on Monday, February 2, 2026, that the project focused on the Bugis Hamlet area of Ampenan. This specific site was selected following a severe tidal surge in late December 2025 that left a trail of destruction in its wake.

"We allocated a total budget of IDR 400 million (USD 25,157) to install the boulders in Bugis Hamlet, adjacent to the Ampenan Pertamina Depot," remarked Lale, noting that the funding secured a stretch of approximately 280 to 300 meters.

The technical approach utilized for this stretch involves natural stones weighing up to one cubic meter each, which are placed in rows extending three to four meters toward the sea. By opting for this "riprap-style" arrangement rather than a vertical seawall, the city aims to dampen wave energy while maintaining beach accessibility. 

Lale emphasized the importance of this design for the local economy. "If the boulders were stacked too high, the fishermen would have difficulty launching their boats," she said.

This consideration ensures that the maritime community can continue to launch their vessels even as the new barriers provide a vital buffer against the elements.

Despite the successful completion of this phase, the city faces significant financial hurdles in extending the protection further south. Lale admitted that budget constraints have left the area south of Pura Segare in Bugis Hamlet currently unprotected. 

To address this gap, the municipal administration is looking toward the River Basin Organization (BWS) for collaborative support. "It is our hope that the BWS can share the responsibility," she said, highlighting the need for a shared responsibility in long-term disaster mitigation.

The urgency of these permanent measures is underscored by the devastation witnessed on December 22, 2025, when a massive tidal surge damaged 18 homes and displaced hundreds of residents. 

In the immediate aftermath of that crisis, the BWS provided emergency relief in the form of 750 geobags, large sand-filled sacks, to serve as temporary dikes. While these temporary measures offered short-term relief, the city is now prioritizing the more durable boulder installations. 

"We hope that the preventive measures we have implemented will be effective in curbing coastal erosion," she concluded. ***