Lesser Sunda eco-region which included in Coral Triangle is the highest biological diversity in the world and habitat for 76% coral reef species and 2,631 reef fish species. Lesser Sunda is also a migration path of the Cetacean and six sea turtle species from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean. Through support from USAID Marine Protected Areas Governance (MPAG) Project, Margareth A. Cargill, and Mac Arthur Foundation, WCS developed program in West Nusa Tenggara by supporting Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park authority, Marine and Fisheries Department of West Nusa Tenggara Province, and local government.
Conservation Challenges
The main challenges to biodiversity in this province are degradation of coastal and aquatic resources from unsustainable fishing practices, lack of capacity in managing aquatic resources, including in marine protected area management, and lack of public awareness of environmental sustainability.
Conservation Approach
In West Nusa Tenggara, WCS works to support the government in biodiversity protection through SMART-Resort Based Management patrol activities, increasing the effectiveness of conservation area management, Ecosystem Area Management, and species and habitat conservation of sea turtles. We support the conservation area management unit, by developing a science-based conservation approach through monitoring and collecting data to strengthen a shared data base. We have also been supporting communities around conservation areas through awareness activities, capacity building in conservation area management and developing alternative livelihoods.
We started our work in West Nusa Tenggara in 2002 by assisting Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park authority to improve its management effectiveness. In 2013, we provided assistance in marine protected areas (MPA) establishment and management improvement. In 2014, we continued to expand our work to include four additional districts in Sumbawa Island to initiate aquatic resources project.