Jakarta, InfoPublik - In the middle of the silvery blue Banda Sea, a small island stands quietly but is full of stories: Banda Neira. Surrounded by coral reefs and towering volcanoes, this island is not only a witness to the history of world spices, but now also a concrete example of how nature and culture can combine to build a sustainable coastal economy.
Centuries ago, the aroma of nutmeg made Banda Neira a target for European nations. Today, the local community no longer relies solely on spices but also sustains its economy through the sea and nature without damaging the environment.
Community-based marine conservation and ecotourism programmes are gradually fostering a new awareness: that preserving nature means safeguarding the future.
Once, people only thought about the catch. Now, the people of Banda Neira have learned that healthy coral reefs are a long-term investment.
They use selective fishing gear, plant artificial coral reefs, and create snorkelling trails managed jointly with the community.
Banda Neira is also known as a paradise for divers from around the world. Beneath the sea surface, expanses of coral and tropical fish create breathtaking scenery. However, Banda's appeal is not only underwater.
Through the ‘Banda Dive Heritage Trail’ programme, tourists are invited to explore the sea while learning about the history of spices and the lives of the local community. Part of the income from this tourism is used for marine conservation and local economic empowerment, such as training tour guides and sustainable seafood-based culinary businesses.
Cultural heritage is also part of ecotourism. Colonial houses, the Belgica fort, and traces of Bung Hatta's exile are part of a historical tour package integrated with nature tourism. In this way, environmental preservation goes hand in hand with the preservation of cultural heritage.
Small Coastal Challenges
However, Banda Neira is not without its problems. Rising sea temperatures, coastal erosion, and dependence on logistics from outside the island remain major challenges.
Banda Neira is vulnerable, but it also has great potential. If it can maintain a balance between economy, ecology, and society, Banda could become a national model for a culture-based blue economy.
The local government is now strengthening initiatives such as ‘Desa Bahari Cerdas’ (Smart Maritime Village) and ‘Kampung Iklim’ (Climate Village), which emphasise adaptation to climate change in coastal areas and increasing community capacity in marine resource management.
Cultural Maritime-Based Blue Economy Model
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is developing Banda Neira as a model for the integration of marine conservation, archaeology and maritime culture.
Through the Sea for Welfare (LAUTRA) programme, Banda Neira is projected to become a coastal economic laboratory that balances the ecological, economic and socio-cultural aspects of coastal communities.
Banda Neira is a concrete example of how marine conservation can go hand in hand with community economic empowerment.
‘The LAUTRA programme run by KKP places Banda Neira as a priority area because it has a rich marine ecosystem as well as high historical and cultural value. We want to build a model of marine management that is not only sustainable but also prosperous,’ said Director General of Marine Management, Koswara, in an official broadcast in Jakarta on Sunday (26/10/2025).
On Tuesday (21/10/2025), which coincided with the Maritime and Fisheries Service Month in commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the KKP, a talk show entitled ‘Pillars of Sustainable Economy for the Coastal Community of Banda Neira: Integration of Archaeology and Maritime Culture’ was held at the Soe Hok Gie Auditorium, University of Indonesia.
This event served as a forum for academics, government officials, and the community to exchange ideas on developing a new direction for marine resource management based on cultural heritage.
The Sea for Prosperity Programme (LAUTRA) covers 11 provinces, 20 conservation areas, and 3 Fisheries Management Areas, with a total area of 8.3 million hectares.
Through four main components of strengthening conservation institutions, local economic development, sustainable financing (blue financing), and integrated project management, KKP targets more than 75 thousand direct beneficiaries, including 30 percent of coastal women's groups.
Program funding of up to IDR 1.25 billion
Banda Neira is considered a centre for sustainable coastal economic development that combines nature and culture. The KKP, together with academic partners, is promoting the development of five main pillars, namely the diversification of eco-tourism with historical and maritime themes, the formation of maritime tourism cooperatives, the development of local economic infrastructure such as tourist piers and maritime culture museums, and the training of communities to become certified storytellers and cultural tour guides.
‘Funding for the programme is provided through three grant schemes, ranging from micro grants of Rp150 million to matching grants of Rp1.25 billion to support environmentally friendly blue MSMEs. We want to ensure that the economy grows without damaging the sea,’ said Enggar Sadtopo, Director of Maritime Services at the Directorate General of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, KKP.
From an academic perspective, Dr. Muhammad Farid, Rector of Banda Neira University, referred to Banda Neira as a ‘living laboratory’ for sustainable development that requires cross-sector collaboration.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kastana Sapanli from IPB University emphasised the great potential of Banda Neira as part of the Coral Triangle and Spice Islands, which is ideal for the development of eco-diving, heritage spice tourism, and nutmeg agrotourism.
Previously, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasised the importance of balancing marine ecosystem protection, coastal community empowerment, and sustainable blue economy development as the main pillars of national maritime development.
Preserved Harmony
As the sun set on the western horizon, orange hues enveloped the sky of Banda Neira. Dusk arrived to welcome the moon. The atmosphere in Banda Neira returns to calm.
On the beach, children play football, while mothers dry nutmeg under the orange sky. Across the way, Mount Banda stands as an eternal guardian, as if reminding us that the balance of nature must be maintained wisely.
This is where harmony is felt—between nature that is preserved, culture that is nurtured, and an economy that grows from local roots. Banda Neira is no longer just a historical relic, but a real example of how a small island can combine heritage and the future.
Banda teaches one important thing: that sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a way of life. Nature is a source of livelihood, culture is identity, and both are integrated into the pulse of the coastal economy that not only benefits humans but also honours the earth.