An environmental scandal is brewing on the picturesque island of Gili Meno. Local environmentalists claim that the construction of a protective breakwater costing 70 billion rupiahs could destroy the coral reef, which is the main natural treasure of the resort.
The project, initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing to protect the shore from erosion, is being carried out just a hundred meters from the pier where boats with tourists arrive.
However, instead of the promised protection, local activists, business owners, and tourists only see destruction. As said by Adi Ardiansyah, director of the NTB Public Advocates Network, excavators are working right in the water area where corals once bloomed, and now concrete structures stand in their place.
"This project creates an utterly unattractive sight at the main gateway of Gili Meno tourism," said Adi. "We are witnessing how an artificial concrete wall is emerging in place of natural reefs. This is devastating for the entire ecosystem."
Tourists coming for the untouched beauty and snorkeling are also in shock. "We came to see this beauty, but found a construction site in the ocean. It's sad and wrong," shared tourist Grace Sophia from Australia.
Environmentalists are raising the alarm: the coral reefs of Gili Meno are not only a hallmark but also a fragile habitat for thousands of marine species.
Their destruction could have irreversible consequences for the entire marine biodiversity of the area and, consequently, for tourism, the foundation of the local economy.
Activists are demanding that the authorities of North Lombok immediately halt the works. The main demand is complete transparency: locals want all project documents, including the environmental impact assessment report, to be published.
However, the authorities have not yet provided official comments, and the construction equipment in the Gili Meno water area continues to operate.
Sources: detik, radarLombok
Sources: detik, radarLombok
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