Indecon is currently working with The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Pangandaran. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been supporting the countries of Asia that were affected by the tsunami in December 2004. UNWTO has joined forces with the Government of Germany to provide a range of consultancy and advisory support in the field of biodiversity and tourism development following the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Indonesia is one of the target countries for this program. The Indonesian Government has agreed to cooperate with UNWTO in the framework of a project in Kabupaten Ciamis (West Java Province). The project aims to build sustainable tourism practices in the model site of Pangandaran. It shall provide these communities with the expertise to develop tourism in a sustainable manner giving special emphasis to the conservation of biodiversity and risk prevention through intact functioning ecosystems.

Pangandaran, a tourism destination area located in the southern tip of West Java, is famous amongst beach lovers. Its long stripe of sandy beach is inviting for people who want to sit around, enjoy the horizon of Hindia Ocean, feel the sea breeze, watching both sunrise (from the East beach) and sunset (from the West beach). Nevertheless, Pangandaran has so much more than that. Its Pananjung Nature Reserve is a conservation area is the habitat of the rare Rafflesia patma, Bos javanicus, and many tropical flora fauna. Pangandaran community is culturally dominated by both Javanese and Sundanese, which create a rich cultural mixture in people daily life.

However, tourism have developed rather spontaneously, which in some area had damaged ecosystems and might potentially reduce environmental functions. Poor solid waste management polluting drainage canals, leakage of domestic waste into water bodies thus polluting sea and poisoning marine biota, continuous violation of conservation area such as wood and shell collecting are only the most visible problems. Irresponsible tourism has greatly increased the natural risk prevention potential of intact ecosystems, thus increasing potential of more devastating impacts of natural disaster.

In July 2006, Pangandaran was severely hit by tsunami cause by a 6.8 Richter earthquake. It has damaged more than 2000 houses, 5800 boats, and 41 home industries. About 15,000-20,000 employment was directly affected (Bappeda, 2006), therefore many people have temporarily lost a significant source of income. Pangandaran environment have also severely damaged, such as coral reef coverage which remains only about 10% after the tsunami. Yet, after the tsunami Pangandaran faces larger challenge in rehabilitation and reconstruction. Right after, recovery aid program overflow Pangandaran particularly in provision of fisherman boats, wave breakers, and infrastructure; unfortunately many are overlapped, ignorance to actual demand, and without assessment on environmental, economical, and social impact. On the other side, after two years of the disaster, tourism has starter to recover, yet still with very little attention to responsible tourism. With the current environmental capacity – greatly reduced by tsunami and continuous exploitation by human – how can Pangandaran sustain its nature and biodiversity? How can Pangandaran sustain its tourism? How can Pangandaran sustain its livelihood, people welfare, and its life?

UNWTO, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, local government of West Java and Kabupaten Ciamis Indecon, together with Indecon and supported by constant participation from local stakeholders have been trying to initiate planning and implementation of more sustainable tourism development by linking tourism and biodiversity. It is possible and inevitable to take care of Pangandaran: to conserve its natural assets and biodiversity and to revitalize its cultures, for tourism development and later for economic welfare of local people, now and in the future.

Related Links:
	Ngarumat Pangandaran
	Pangandaran Site for Project Member