Mataram, University of Mataram — The University of Mataram (Unram) Impact Professor Community Engagement Team will carry out a community service program at Bagek Kembar Ecotourism in Cendi Manik Village, West Lombok Regency. The initiative reflects the implementation of the university’s Tri Dharma of Higher Education, with a focus on community empowerment while supporting the Empowered Village (Desa Berdaya) Program, one of the flagship initiatives of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government.

The program is designed as a collaborative effort between the university and the local community to sustainably develop ecotourism based on local resources. By integrating scientific expertise with community empowerment practices, the initiative aims to generate tangible benefits by improving local livelihoods while preserving the coastal environment.

The Head of Unram’s Impact Professor Community Engagement Team, Prof. Dr. Gito Hadiprayitno, M.Si., explained that the development of Bagek Kembar Ecotourism is not solely intended to increase tourist arrivals but also to strengthen the capacity of local communities as the primary managers of the ecotourism destination.

“We hope this program will enhance the community’s capacity to manage ecotourism resources professionally, creating sustainable economic benefits while maintaining environmental conservation,” he said.

From an academic perspective, the ecotourism model places local communities at the center of natural resource management. Therefore, strengthening local institutions, improving technical skills, and developing businesses based on local potential are essential components of sustainable ecotourism. This approach aligns with the principles of sustainable development by integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

During the program preparation meeting, the Head of Cendi Manik Village, H. Mahdi (KDM), expressed his appreciation for Unram’s Impact Professor Community Engagement Team, emphasizing that the initiative provides meaningful support for the village’s development efforts.

“We warmly welcome and sincerely appreciate the selection of Cendi Manik Village, particularly Bagek Kembar Ecotourism, as the site for the University of Mataram’s Impact Professor Community Engagement Program. We hope this initiative will go beyond a short-term project and lead to continuous innovation and mentoring, enabling our community to become more confident in developing the village’s tourism potential,” he said.

He added that the Cendi Manik Village Government is fully committed to supporting every stage of the program, including strengthening the management institution, providing training on mangrove and crab cultivation, developing local culinary products, and promoting mangrove-based educational tourism. According to him, collaboration among the village government, local community, and Unram is a key foundation for achieving the objectives of the NTB Provincial Government’s Empowered Village Program.

The development of Bagek Kembar Ecotourism will be supported through a series of training and mentoring activities. These include ecotourism management training, mangrove nursery development for coastal ecosystem rehabilitation, crab farming as an alternative source of community income, the development of local culinary products and an ecotourism information center, and the creation of educational mangrove tour packages that emphasize environmental awareness.

The mangrove nursery program is considered one of the initiative’s strategic components, as mangrove ecosystems play a vital ecological role in protecting coastlines from erosion, providing habitats for diverse aquatic species, and serving as significant blue carbon sinks that contribute to climate change mitigation. Meanwhile, the development of crab farming and coastal-based culinary products is expected to increase the economic value of local resources by diversifying community livelihoods.

Beyond strengthening the local economy, the program also seeks to increase community participation in environmental management. Through the active involvement of local management groups, residents are expected to develop a stronger sense of ownership of the ecotourism area, ensuring that conservation efforts remain sustainable over the long term.

Unram’s Impact Professor Community Engagement Team consists of distinguished professors from various academic disciplines, including Prof. Dr. Gito Hadiprayitno, M.Si.; Prof. Dr. Agil Al Idrus, M.Si.; Prof. Dr. I Wayan Suana, M.Si.; Prof. Muhammad Ali, S.Pt., M.Si., Ph.D.; and Prof. Dr. I Wayan Karta, M.S. The program is also supported by Drs. Lalu Japa, M.Sc.St.; Moh. Liwa Ilhamdi, M.Si.; and Gde Cahyadi Wirajagat, M.Sc., whose expertise includes biology education, ecology, conservation, and community empowerment.

As part of an experiential learning approach, the program also involves undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and graduate (Master’s) students from the Biology Education Study Program of Unram’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP). Their participation is integrated into the Biopreneur and Ecotourism Practicum courses, allowing students not only to gain valuable field experience but also to contribute directly to community empowerment through the application of science and technology.

The collaboration among lecturers, students, the village government, and local communities is expected to support regional development based on local potential. Through institutional strengthening, community capacity building, and the development of conservation-based enterprises, Bagek Kembar Ecotourism is expected to grow into a competitive educational tourism destination while serving as a model for sustainable development in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

Unram’s Impact Professor Community Engagement Program demonstrates the strategic role of higher education institutions in transforming academic knowledge into practical solutions for society. By emphasizing scientific approaches, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the initiative is expected to make a significant contribution to improving community livelihoods, conserving mangrove ecosystems, and advancing the success of the Empowered Village Program, one of the flagship development agendas of the NTB Provincial Government.

Writer: Prof. Dr. Gito Hadiprayitno, M.Si.