Interpretation program border zone with words.

Reefs at Bondalem -are part of Bali coral reef distribution network. RC works with community has initiated the establishment of a community based MMA. The MMA was declared in April 2008 by Buleleng head of district. This area is famous for unfriendly marine ornamental fish collection and cyanide fishing since early 70’s. Bondalem also has to deal with solid waste, sedimentation, and erosion. The threats affect the reefs, and potentially damaging the flourishing tourism sectors.

Clean-up the MMA by the MMA diver.

The local MMA management committee has developed a strategic planning in trying to outcome the challenge. Despite of the passion and active involvement of the community, managing an MMA require a substantial amount of funding. On top of that, Bondalem is a relatively poor village, in which many of the villagers still surviving on a daily basis. Therefore, the project will focus strongly on involving local people in nature conservation by developing a community based tourism that can provide an income alternative, promotion of a better tourism and fishing practice, as well as community tools to raise MMA management fund.

The project is design to achieve:

1. Economic benefits to local communities: Like other protected areas, Bondalem MMA are still under threats, including the welfare issue. Moreover, MMA is a long time investment. In a short term, protection can also means less access to natural resources. Community based tourism is one of a powerful tool to outcome the issue;

2. Sustainability of the MMA: Many MMAs have maintenance problems due to the lack of sustainable resources. Community income can be managed to also provide part of the conservation fund needed for the MMA;

3. Environmental awareness: increase the understanding, appreciation and conservation-orientation activities. And as the MMA can show that there is a major incentives to local people, this will increase awareness of the presence and willingness to assist the area, as well as the replication to other areas.

The activities will be part to developing tourism codes of conduct, Implementing interpretation programmes, capacity building programmes, mechanism of benefits sharing from protected area, tourism to the local economy, and promoting the community based tourism.