Power Crisis Threatens West Java Green Turtle Conservation

RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - The survival of West Java's rare Green Sea Turtle population is under immediate threat as a critical electricity crisis paralyzes conservation efforts at Pangumbahan Beach, Sukabumi, West Java.

During a recent field inspection, Commission II of the West Java Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) warned that unstable power infrastructure is actively jeopardizing high-tech laboratory equipment essential for the research and care of these protected marine creatures.

"Turtles are a special marine biota that not all regions possess, In West Java, conservation centers like this are very limited," said Deputy Speaker of Commission II DPRD, Lina Ruslinawati in a statement released in Bandung on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. "."

She emphasized that Pangumbahan Beach, alongside Pangandaran, serves as one of the final strongholds for the species in the province. However, its protective functions are currently crippled by fundamental technical failures.

As reported by Antara, the crisis stems from a logistical flaw in the local power grid, where the nearest power source is located two kilometers away from the main facility. This excessively long transmission line causes severe voltage instability, posing a fatal risk to sensitive laboratory instruments.

Beyond the electrical fluctuations, the distance creates significant mobility hurdles for technicians when sudden technical glitches require immediate intervention.

"Supporting infrastructure, such as stable electricity, is an urgent necessity. We want to ensure this conservation center has proper facilities so that its educational and preservation functions can operate sustainably," Lina added.

The threat of permanent damage to modern research tools has prompted the DPRD to take decisive action. Consequently, Commission II has pledged to oversee the procurement of new electrical infrastructure as a top budgetary priority for 2026.

Lina underscored that the commitment to protecting turtle habitats must be a synchronized effort between the regency, provincial, and central governments. Beyond physical infrastructure, the commission’s visit also focused on gathering insights from local conservation groups to empower coastal communities in safeguarding West Java's marine ecosystem.

"We will continue to push for a follow-up on the results of today's meeting," she concluded. ***