Through the beauty of Thousand Island, which is often captured as a tourism icon of “Jakarta,” behind its beauty now stands Pari Island on the brink of an ecological crisis. At the “Healing Together with Pari Island” event, held over more than two days, Enter Nusantara and the Student Executive Board (BEM) of FMIPA UI fought back against the frame of exotic tourism, which has often obscured these bitter facts: Pari Island is being corroded by piles of waste and tourism debris, as well as institutional neglect.
Pari Island, known as a small paradise with its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, is losing its allure. The growing threat of accumulated waste, especially plastics, is eroding the island’s charm while simultaneously devastating its coastal ecosystem. Even more troubling, much of the waste piling up on Pari Island does not originate from the island itself but is carried over from Jakarta—an irony that highlights the poor urban waste management practices spilling over into coastal areas.
The waste washing up on Pari Island is not just an environmental eyesore but a stark example of ecological injustice. The local community, whose livelihood depends on the sea, bears the brunt of pollution they did not create. Coral reefs, vital to the coastal ecosystem, are now at risk, as are marine species that sustain the local economy.
Without concrete action from the Jakarta Government, this threat will persist. Pari Island risks losing not only its appeal as a tourist destination but also the ecosystem that underpins the survival of its community.
Through this initiative, Enter Nusantara and BEM FMIPA UI went beyond merely cleaning up beaches. They shed light on the often-overlooked environmental conflicts affecting the island. Environmental education was provided to participants, while social data collection was undertaken to strengthen evidence-based advocacy. The event also served as a platform to support the women of Pari Island, who have long been at the forefront of fighting against environmental exploitation.
The event underscored how poorly managed tourism can become an exploitative force that harms both the environment and local communities. The pollution crisis on Pari Island is inseparable from tourism policies that fail to integrate sustainability principles. Where is the government’s role? Why are fundamental issues like waste management still ignored?
The initiative was not without its challenges: limited camping facilities, inadequate lighting, and difficulties in mobilizing broader participation. However, these obstacles served as a reminder that environmental struggles are never easy. Creativity and solidarity across communities proved that challenges can be overcome when shared interests take precedence.
A key lesson emerged from this activity: resource limitations are no excuse for inaction. Collaboration among local communities, students, and environmental activists demonstrated that innovative solutions can arise from collective effort.
The event succeeded in cleaning significant portions of Pari Island’s beaches, providing environmental education, and fostering new networks to drive stronger collaboration in protecting the Thousand Islands. The message was clear: big changes begin with small actions, but those actions must challenge the status quo.
Pari Island stands as a symbol of resistance against exploitation and neglect. It is home to a rich ecosystem and a resilient community striving to defend their right to a sustainable environment. This struggle is not just about Pari Island—it is about the future of sustainability for us all. Let’s take action and care for our planet because protecting Pari Island means protecting the Earth we all share.