International Biological Diversity Day: Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development

Have you ever wondered why so many foreign tourists are willing to travel to Indonesia? The answer is often simple: our nature is extraordinary. Indonesia has tropical rainforests, volcanoes, some of the world’s best coral reefs, and thousands of endemic animal and plant species that can’t be found anywhere else. Yup, wildlife is one of the main reasons why so many foreign tourists visit. Indonesia’s biodiversity is among the richest in the world. We’re listed among the megadiverse countries—nations with the richest biodiversity on Earth, with high levels of endemism but also a high risk of loss.

Biodiversity = Tourist Attraction

It’s undeniable that our natural wealth and endemic species are a huge magnet for tourists, especially from abroad. Just take a look:

• Only in Indonesia can you still see the ancient Komodo dragons thriving in their natural habitat—you can visit Komodo National Park.
• Raja Ampat is a diver’s paradise, where they can witness iconic large marine life like manta rays, turtles, dolphins, sharks, and whale sharks playing and interacting.
• Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra and Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan are the habitats of the increasingly rare orangutans and are favorite destinations for wildlife lovers.

But this is just a small part of the wealth spread across various destinations in Indonesia. As an archipelagic country, Indonesia is home to about 25,000 species of flowering plants, 55% of which are endemic; 515 species of mammals (around 12% of the world’s total), ranking second in the world; 781 species of reptiles (about 16% worldwide), ranking fourth; 1,592 species of birds, around 17% of the world’s species, ranking fifth; 35 species of primates, and 270 species of amphibians. Specifically for birds, 24 areas in Indonesia are listed as Endemic Bird Areas by BirdLife International. Then there’s the unique Wallacea Line, discovered by Alfred Wallace, a boundary that reflects geological history’s influence on species distribution, showing a mix of Asian and Australian species that aren’t found anywhere else. Many endemic species exist because of long geological isolation.

With this much richness, it’s no surprise that Indonesia’s biodiversity is a major attraction for international tourists. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism sector contributes more than 4% to Indonesia’s GDP, and most of that comes from the natural wealth we have.

What does it mean? Nature = our greatest tourism asset.

But… we also have to be honest: this wealth is slowly starting to be threatened.

There are still many human activities threatening the existence of these species and their natural habitats, including illegal hunting, illegal logging, conversion of forests into agricultural land, plantations, mining, or housing, as well as habitat destruction caused by unsustainable development.

All of this makes it increasingly difficult for many rare species to survive. The Sumatran tiger, Javan rhinoceros, and the Cenderawasih bird—all of them are experiencing declining numbers. And if they go extinct, it’s not just nature that loses out, but also the tourism sector. We often don’t realize that wildlife tourism contributes hundreds of billions of rupiah to local governments, improves community welfare, and creates significant job opportunities.

However, these threats are not insurmountable. With the right approach, we still have hope to preserve this precious natural wealth and biodiversity. One solution that is increasingly being adopted is ecotourism, which not only highlights natural beauty but also focuses on conservation and the well-being of local communities.

Ecotourism: Making Tourism More Meaningful

Ecotourism is a tourism concept that prioritizes nature conservation, environmental education, and empowering local communities. So, tourists can still enjoy Indonesia’s natural beauty while also helping to protect and support its sustainability.

Ecotourism isn’t just about seeing and enjoying nature, but also about how we can play a role in preserving it. Through ecotourism, tourism activities focus on providing quality experiences that are environmentally friendly and deliver direct benefits.

Jadi, warga lokal tidak hanya jadi objek wisata, tapi juga pelaku utama yang diberdayakan untuk mengelola dan menjaga tempat mereka secara berkelanjutan. So, local residents are not just tourism objects but become the main actors empowered to manage and protect their places sustainably.

A real successful example is Tangkahan Village in North Sumatra. In the past, the community was involved in illegal logging that damaged the forest. However, with the introduction of an ecotourism program, they transformed into forest guardians and responsible nature tour guides. They help protect the habitats of elephants, orangutans, and the tropical rainforest, which are the main attractions for tourists. Besides preserving nature, the residents also earn income from tourism, improving their welfare without harming the environment

Besides Tangkahan, there is also Nglanggeran Tourism Village in Yogyakarta, which has successfully preserved its geotourism area. They have opened up new economic opportunities while still preserving the environment and local culture. This approach serves as an example of how ecotourism can promote sustainable development.

Ecotourism also encourages tourists to be more aware and responsible during their visits, for example, by:

• Avoiding activities that damage natural habitats, such as littering or disturbing wildlife.
• Choosing accommodations and tour providers that follow environmentally friendly principles, like using renewable energy and proper waste management.
• Supporting local products made by surrounding communities, so their economy can grow.
• Participating in environmental education programs offered at tourist sites to better understand the importance of conservation.

In this way, ecotourism makes your travel experience more meaningful and helps protect Indonesia’s incredible biodiversity. So, if nature is destroyed, it’s not only the plants and animals that disappear, but also the tourism activities that are the livelihood of millions of people will come to a halt.

Biodiversity Day: It’s Time for Us to Take Action

International Biodiversity Day is more than just a celebration of unique flora and fauna. It’s a reminder that we all have a role in protecting life on Earth—especially as part of the tourism sector.

We can start with simple steps:

• Support ecotourism and environmentally conscious destinations
• Avoid buying souvenirs made from endangered animals
• Expand your knowledge about conservation
• Encourage friends to travel responsibly

Because when we walk in harmony with nature, we not only protect this planet but also nurture life and the future of Indonesian tourism.

Let’s start now—travel while protecting. 🌱🌿🌏