Mampie Turtle Festival in West Sulawesi Drives Long-Term Coastal Protection

RRI.CO.ID, Mamuju - Collaboration between government, communities, and the public is boosting turtle conservation in the coastal ecosystem of Mampie, West Sulawesi, through the annual Mampie Turtle Festival.

Head of the West Sulawesi Youth, Sports, Tourism, and Creative Economy Agency, Bau Akram Dai, said the festival serves as an educational instrument to raise public awareness of the importance of turtle and coastal environmental conservation.

“The Mampie Turtle Festival must be transformed into a sustainable collective movement. This activity is expected to strengthen ecological awareness while fostering a culture of conservation that will provide long‑term benefits,” Bau Akram said in Polewali Mandar on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Held from June 24–28, 2026, the festival carried the theme “Preserving the Trail, Inheriting the Ocean”, a call to protect turtle habitats and pass on a healthy ocean to future generations.

According to Bau Akram, environmental conservation and tourism development must now go hand in hand under the concept of sustainable tourism, ensuring ecological balance while delivering economic benefits to local communities.

He is optimistic that such collaboration would strengthen West Sulawesi’s position as a leading tourism destination that integrates environmental preservation with creative economy development.

The provincial administration also extended appreciation to the Sahabat Penyu Mampie community, Polewali Mandar Regency administration, and the Ministry of Tourism for supporting the festival through the Assistance Task Fund for the 2026 fiscal year.

Founder of Sahabat Penyu Mampie, Muhammad Yusri, said this year’s theme conveys the message that society must not only preserve the environment but also ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and sustainable ocean.

“The festival is not just an annual celebration but a joint movement to build public awareness of coastal and marine ecosystems. Our hope is that Mampie will increasingly be recognized as a conservation tourism destination that makes West Sulawesi proud,” Yusri said.

The festival featured conservation education, beach cleanups, tree planting, a river tour of Mampie Bay, and an MSME exhibition.

Enthusiasm was evident from the opening to the closing day, with residents welcoming the annual event's return. Beyond entertainment, the festival strengthened turtle conservation efforts, increased tourist visits, and provided positive impacts for local businesses. ***