The UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) team in the Banggai Islands, in collaboration with local communities and marine conservation partners, continues its series of sea-themed collaborative initiatives in 2025. The event titled Jambore Selam Kilau Samudra Lestari (Sustainable Ocean Diving Jamboree) was held to revive local wisdom among the people of Banggai Islands, especially in Lukpanenteng Village, where daily life is closely tied to swimming and diving activities.
The three-day event, July 25-27, 2025, carried the theme Water Skills Training: Reinforcing Nurture while Exploring Banggai Islands’ Marine Wonders.
The initiative was grounded in the vast potential of the region’s marine tourism, which remains underutilized.
With its stunning marine environment, the activity aims not only to promote local tourism but also to encourage communities to actively preserve and manage these resources in line with ecological principles.
Bakar Samida, Secretary of North Bulagi District, stated during the opening ceremony that Lukpanenteng is naturally endowed with diving zones and holds strong potential as a center for marine education and tourism.
However, he acknowledged that limited community capacity remains a major challenge in its development.
“Through this initiative, the 2025 KKN-PPM team in the Banggai Islands is seeking to empower the local community by offering community-based solutions,” he said.
For Samida, the jamboree is a significant effort to raise public awareness about marine protection while serving as a platform for local capacity development.
In addition to basic water rescue training, the jamboree featured certified snorkeling guide training based on Indonesia’s National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI), education on the dangers of destructive fishing practices, and the exploration of diving sites in the waters around Lukpanenteng.
“Participants, including university students, local youth, government representatives, and members of conservation partner organizations, were directly involved in the community-based conservation campaign and actions,” he added.
Adiliansyah, the head of the organizing committee, explained that the Kilau Samudra Lestari 2025 program received strong support from marine conservation partner Blue Alliance, which assisted in training activities and strengthened messaging around coastal ecosystem protection.
According to him, Blue Alliance believes that effective conservation is not solely driven by science and regulations, but also through collaboration with local communities who live side-by-side with the sea.
“Grounded in research-based academic knowledge, this program aims to bring together practical knowledge from local community experiences with the academic insight offered by the UGM team in partnership with Blue Alliance,” he explained.
In addition to serving as a platform for training and social action, Adiliansyah stated that the Jambore Kilau Samudra Lestari also functioned as a promotional medium for local diving spots through visual productions, digital collaboration, and underwater exploration documentation.
It is hoped that this initiative will sustainably boost the attractiveness of marine tourism in Lukpanenteng.
“This initiative is a collaborative effort between students, local government, and villagers to protect the ocean. We hope it will continue as an annual program,” he said.
Through strong collaboration between students, local communities, the government, and conservation organizations, the jamboree stands as a concrete example of how scientific knowledge, practical training, and real-world action can go hand in hand to create a lasting positive impact on Indonesia’s coastal areas.
“With this, Lukpanenteng Village is not only known for its stunning dive sites, but also as a village actively building its marine future with the hands and spirit of its people,” concluded Adiliansyah.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: UGM KKN-PPM Team in Banggai Islands