Government Accelerates Waste Management Efforts in Gili Trawangan

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is continuing to accelerate efforts to handle the waste problem in Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Three incinerator units procured by the KKP are currently awaiting the completion of the permitting process before they can become fully operational. Director of Coasts and Small Islands at the KKP, Ahmad Aris, stated that the presence of the incinerators is one solution to overcome the waste problem that has burdened the tourist area and marine conservation zone. He noted that Gili Trawangan is one of the marine conservation areas managed by the KKP and is estimated to be visited by around 810,000 tourists annually. The high level of community activity and the tourism sector has impacted the increasing volume of waste that must be handled every day. Ahmad Aris explained that an estimated 175,000 tonnes of waste is piled up at the Gili Trawangan Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) and cannot be managed optimally due to limited waste processing equipment. He explained that the waste pile continues to grow by around 17 to 20 tonnes per day originating from community and tourism sector activities. This condition leads to various environmental impacts, especially on the marine ecosystem. Impacts include increased E. coli bacteria content in coastal areas due to accumulated waste residue. Furthermore, algae growth has also been found in the core zone of the Gili Trawangan marine conservation area. The waste pile at the TPST even produces a pungent odour that disturbs the comfort of residents and tourists. As part of the solution, the KKP procured three incinerator units at the end of 2025. This technology is designed to help significantly reduce waste volume with a burning capacity reaching approximately 10 to 20 tonnes of waste per day. However, the three incinerator units cannot be operated directly because they must still fulfil applicable licensing requirements. Ahmad Aris confirmed that the KKP is taking various steps to meet all the required conditions so the incinerators can be optimally functional soon.