Minister of Environment: Don't destroy nature under the pretext of ecotourism

WEST BANDUNG, GARISBUMI.com – Ecotourism development must preserve nature, not be an excuse to damage the environment. Minister of the Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/Environmental Management Agency (BPLH)) Moh Jumhur Hidayat emphasized that ease of licensing tourism businesses needs to be accompanied by compliance with environmental regulations.

This confirmation was conveyed during a work visit and tree planting in the Dusun Bambu Ecotourism area, West Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday (29/9/2026).

"As long as the rules are followed, there should be no contradictions. So the rules below, in derivative areas, should also make it easier as long as the business complies with or fulfills the requirements for protecting the environment. But if the activities actually damage the environment under the pretext of ecotourism then that is not allowed," said Jumhur, in a written statement from KLH/Environmental Management Agency (BPLH), Wednesday (30/9/2026).

According to Jumhur, ecological tourism or ecotourism can drive the economy while supporting nature conservation. Therefore, the use of natural wealth and biodiversity by business actors needs to be accompanied by cooperation to protect the ecosystem.

"The government is very serious about encouraging ecotourism or ecological tourism because it is an economic activity that can also glorify the environment," he said.

Jumhur expressed his support for the ease of licensing ecotourism businesses to encourage green investment. However, this support applies to business activities that meet environmental protection requirements.

Nature Conservation Needs to be Supported by Economic Activities

During the visit, Jumhur emphasized the importance of economic activities that support the maintenance of tourist areas. According to him, the sustainability of conservation efforts also depends on the functioning of a circular economy in the area.

He said that future ecotourism development would be supported by instruments such as biodiversity credit. However, the KLH/Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) statement has not detailed the mechanism or time for implementation.

Jumhur hopes that the practice of preserving nature in Dusun Bambu can become an example for other tourism managers in combining recreational activities with environmental conservation.

He said he was impressed by the changes in the area. According to Jumhur, land that was previously barren and at risk of erosion has now become a green area through consistent tree planting.

Encourage Indonesia's Role in Maintaining Biodiversity

Jumhur also described his meetings with a number of environmental figures in New York, United States, and London, England, including the advisor to the King of England in the field of biodiversity.

According to him, at the meeting there was encouragement for Indonesia to take a bigger role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

The richness of Indonesia's land and sea ecosystems, said Jumhur, is capital to strengthen this role. Its use needs to go hand in hand with efforts to protect and restore nature.