Lively: Fish swim happily in healthy coral reef in Bunaken, North Sulawesi. In North Bali, coral conservation efforts in one village are being rewarded.After more than two decades of determined endeavors, 

I Gusti Agung Prana and the Pemuteran village community in remote Buleleng regency in North Bali are now enjoying robust success, as the world has recognized their extraordinary effort to restore damaged coral reefs and to preserve underwater habitats in Pemuteran Bay and the surrounding areas.

Starting very small from a community-based coral and marine protection effort to help local fishermen regain their livelihoods, the Pemuteran Coral Protection Foundation is currently one of the most-talked about projects on the international environmental stage, given a prestigious environmental award — the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Equator Prize in 2012.

The Equator Initiative, endorsed, among others by US philanthropist Ted Turner, is a partnership that brings together the UN, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities

The Pemuteran Coral Protection Foundation was selected as one of the 25 winners from 812 nominations submitted by communities in 113 countries across the developing world. 

The 25 recipients of the Equator Prize 2012 will each receive US$5,000, with 10 selected for special recognition and a total of $20,000.

Representing local community groups, Agung Prana will fly to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to receive the award during the high-profile Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development on June 20.

“It is a collaborative effort of so many people, so many marine-based organizations, the hotel and hospitality industry and most of all the dedicated marine scientists Thomas Goreau and Wolf Hilbertz and local fishermen that made this project a reality,” Prana said, expressing his gratitude in a very humble voice early last week at his beautiful and green resort in Pemuteran village.

Indeed, credit must also go to the two marine scientists from the US and Germany, who first introduced “biorock” coral technology to restore the heavily damaged coral reefs in Pemuteran Bay due to unsustainable fishing methods, rising water temperatures and sedimentation.

The Pemuteran Foundation now oversees more than 70 artificial “biorock” coral reefs, which have helped to restore fish stocks and marine biodiversity. 

“Local fishermen regained their livelihoods as they can catch more fish and generate income from community-based tourism,” Prana said. Hundreds of community members have been trained in artificial reef building. Many of them have received training as divers, tour guides and as small-scale entrepreneurs.

During the announcement of the 25 winners of the Equator Prize 2012 in New York last March, UNDP administrator Helen Clark said, “These community efforts are heroic and inspiring. And that is what the Equator Prize is all about — shining a spotlight on the women and men on the front lines of sustainable development. At UNDP, we are so deeply proud of leading this initiative and giving communities a voice.” 

In addition to the Equator Prize, the Pemuteran Coral Restoration Project has also won several national and international awards including the SKAL Award for the best underwater eco-tourism project in the world.

The project also received the Konas Award for the best community-based coastal management project in Indonesia. It was also named winner of the Kalpataru Award, Indonesia’s most prestigious environmental award.

— Photos Courtesy of Justin Snyder

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