RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - With a critical UNESCO revalidation deadline looming this August, Indonesia is rolling out an urgent ecological defense strategy for Raja Ampat to prevent careless tourism from stripping the archipelago of its prestigious global geopark title.

The Ministry of Tourism announced plans on Wednesday to deploy 136 mooring buoys across the waters of Southwest Papua. This massive infrastructure push directly responds to the destructive anchoring habits of diving vessels that threaten the region's delicate marine ecosystems.

Speaking after the 2026 National Tourism Coordination Meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, explained that the influx of cruise and diving ships requires immediate regulation to halt environmental degradation.

"That is to protect the economic system of the coral reefs there, because currently there are so many ships sailing there for diving, but they are dropping anchors everywhere," said Minister Widiyanti, as quoted by Antara.

The Minister noted that a recent field assessment exposed several critical vulnerabilities within the world-class destination. Rectifying these issues will require a synchronized effort between central line ministries, regional administrations, and local businesses to fundamentally overhaul the carrying capacity of Raja Ampat’s pristine marine corridors.

Beyond managing vessel traffic, the government is also confronting an escalating waste crisis in the area. Authorities are actively designing measures to stop maritime vessels from illicitly dumping garbage into the open ocean.

To protect the coastline, Minister Widiyanti urged local administrators and site managers to install specialized netting systems across river mouths to intercept upstream trash before it bleeds into the marine habitat.

"That requires an extraordinary effort and certainly high operational costs as well. So it needs to be strategized together, especially since waste is a national issue now. We are collecting data, and hopefully, moving forward, we can develop tourism in Raja Ampat responsibly," she remarked.

The upcoming visit by UNESCO assessors in August 2026 places immense pressure on Indonesia, making these structural and environmental upgrades paramount to retaining the coveted designation.

During an earlier address on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Minister Widiyanti reminded stakeholders that a UNESCO Global Geopark status is far more than a marketing badge. Instead, she emphasized that it represents a binding, long-term pledge to environmental preservation, which can only be achieved by blending ecological protection with robust governance and community empowerment.

Concluding her remarks, the Minister issued a definitive appeal to all stakeholders to take collective ownership of the sanctuary’s survival, ensuring its wonders outlive the pressures of global tourism.

“Our collective task for Raja Ampat is to ensure this beauty remains alive, preserved, and provides benefits for both today's and future generations,” she said. ***