History of Coral Restoration in Pulau Hanita
The coral restoration project in Pulau Hanita, Labuan Bajo, began in 2024 as a response to the decline of coral reef ecosystems in the coastal waters of Manggarai Barat. Increasing tourism pressure, physical damage to reefs, and habitat loss for marine life highlighted the urgent need for restoration efforts.
2024 – The Beginning
The first phase of restoration was initiated through a collaboration between Yayasan Peduli Indonesia, CECT Sustainability Trisakti, and Pelindo through its CSR program. This phase focused on reef rehabilitation and community involvement in marine conservation.
Restoration Activities
- Installation of 50 artificial reef substrate units
- Transplantation of approximately 6,500 coral fragments
- Restoration area covering around 9,000 m²
- Use of “corals of opportunity” for reef rehabilitation
Community Involvement
The project actively involves local residents from Desa Seraya Marannu, including fishermen and women groups, who are trained in coral monitoring, maintenance, and reef stewardship. This ensures long-term sustainability and local ownership of the conservation efforts.
Impact and Progress
Monitoring results show a coral survival rate of up to 98.69%, along with the return of reef fish and marine biodiversity. The project also contributes to an estimated carbon absorption of approximately 2,250 kg CO₂ per year, highlighting its environmental significance beyond reef restoration.
Pulau Hanita is now developing into a model for sustainable marine conservation and eco-tourism, integrating ecosystem restoration, community empowerment, and low-impact tourism in Labuan Bajo.
