Indonesia advances Nusa Penida as integrated green island destination

Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, urged the Klungkung district government to finalise the “Green Island” concept to boost sustainable tourism development.

Nusa Penida, a scenic island off Bali, is known for its beaches, cliffs, and rich marine biodiversity. The island attracted around 1.1 million visitors in 2024, highlighting its growing appeal as a key destination within Bali.

“This is a hidden paradise that has not been fully touched,” Bima said in a statement released in Jakarta on Monday.

He noted the island’s potential for sustainable tourism development remains largely untapped.

He called for a fully integrated strategy covering waste management, renewable energy, vehicle restrictions, and local culture preservation. Funding would come from loans, corporate and private contributions, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, and investors.

Bima pledged ministry support, including cross-agency coordination, and stressed that strong local government teams were crucial for implementing the vision. He emphasised alignment with official spatial planning documents, including the Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR).

Beyond infrastructure, Bima underlined the importance of social development and community character building to support sustainable tourism growth.

He urged that the island must maintain momentum, calling for rapid improvements to infrastructure and ecosystem management.

Meeting visitor expectations, he added, is critical to encouraging repeat tourism and sustaining Nusa Penida’s long-term appeal.