Community-Based Sea Turtle Conservation Training Led by Dr. Harfiandri Damanhuri, S.Pi., M.Sc.

Amid growing public awareness of the importance of preserving endangered species—particularly sea turtles—a Community-Based Sea Turtle Conservation Training was officially held on October 18, 2025. The event, conducted in the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and local wisdom, was attended by village officials, traditional leaders (ninik mamak), bundo kandung, members of the Community-Based Coastal Surveillance Group (Pokmaswas), and more than 40 participants from various coastal villages.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from the Head of Padang Village, followed by an in-depth presentation from the keynote speaker, Dr. Harfiandri Damanhuri, a sea turtle conservation expert from the Environmental Research Institute of Universitas Bung Hatta. In his engaging and accessible presentation, Dr. Harfiandri explained the life cycle of sea turtles, the threats facing their populations in Indonesian waters, and the crucial role of indigenous communities in preserving this species, which has existed for hundreds of millions of years.

“Sea turtles are not merely endangered animals—they are symbols of ecological and cultural continuity. By involving our ancestors, elders, and traditional leaders, we can establish conservation practices that are deeply rooted in the community,”
stated Dr. Harfiandri.

The training successfully integrated traditional wisdom and scientific approaches. Traditional leaders from Padang Village emphasized that sea turtle conservation has long been a part of their cultural values, where turtles are regarded as symbols of peace and sustainability.

“We have always respected turtles as sacred creatures. Now, we can apply this traditional wisdom through modern science. This is a true synergy between nature, culture, and science,”
said one of the bundo kandung participants during the session.

This initiative not only strengthened community participation in environmental protection but also bridged local cultural identity with modern conservation science, offering a sustainable model for preserving marine biodiversity in Indonesia’s coastal regions.