Socio-Economic Impact Of Marine Tourism And Turtle Breeding Conservation (Case Study Turtle Conservation in Sangalaki Island Natural Tourism Park, Berau Regency)

Abstract

Turtle conservation has significant socio-economic impacts. Socially, turtle conservation can increase public awareness of the importance of environmental conservation and encourage active participation in efforts to conserve endangered species. Economically, turtle conservation can open up new business opportunities, such as conservation-based tourism, which can increase the income of local communities. Many regions in Indonesia have begun to develop ecotourism, one of which is Sangalaki Island in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province. This study aims to determine the impact of the turtle conservation program on the environmental, social, and economic conditions of marine sustainable tourism and conservation in the Sangalaki Island Nature Tourism Park (NTP). The results of the study indicate that the conservation area as a tourist attraction has a positive economic impact on the community but is not sustainable because of the lack of basic infrastructure and tourism infrastructure in the Sangalaki Island NTP. This utilization also has several negative impacts, namely environmental damage due to low environmental awareness of visiting tourists and local communities. The results of the study also showed that there was no risk to the social life of the community because the community around the tourist attraction still holds fast to the customary values ​​and traditions that they have had for generations.