Who would have thought that a significant movement for change is happening far away on Laiya Island, a small island in Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, that may not often appear on the mainstream tourism radar? This movement isn't led by the central government or investors, but by a group of students from the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK) who aim to combine tourism and environmental conservation into one tangible effort.

This isn't just an idea on paper. As part of the 2025 KKN Kebangsaan (National Community Service Program), students, including Rahmat Firsandi from ITK's Marine Engineering program, went directly to the field. They partnered with the local community to see the island's potential not just as a place to live, but as a tourism destination that can be a source of pride without compromising its natural charm.

Building a Tourist Village from Scratch, with Local Residents

Through a collaboration with the Pangkep Regency Tourism Office, the ITK team successfully encouraged the formation of a Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) on Laiya Island. This is not just a ceremonial group, but a community that serves as the frontline for developing tourism on the island.

The Pokdarwis members are trained to understand how to promote tourism digitally, manage local tourism potential, and improve their skills as local wisdom-based tour guides. The hope is for Laiya Island to develop into a self-sufficient tourist village that is visited not only for its natural beauty, but also for its authentic experiences and a community that is ready to welcome visitors with open arms.

Environmental Conservation: From Waste to a Solution

But what is tourism without conservation? It could backfire. Therefore, a crucial part of this program also addresses the environmental aspect. Residents are taught to sort organic and inorganic waste, a small habit with a big impact. Organic waste is processed into compost and eco-enzymes that can be used as natural cleaning solutions—environmentally friendly, cheap, and highly useful.

Meanwhile, inorganic waste, especially plastic, is processed into ecobricks and transformed into "ecofurnish"—simple furniture made from plastic waste. With this approach, residents are not only encouraged to dispose of waste properly but also to see waste as an economic opportunity.

More Than Just a KKN Program

What these ITK students have done is not just about completing a KKN program. It's about instilling a spirit of collaboration, independence, and environmental awareness within the community. This program provides an example of how a participatory and sustainable approach can be the key to developing remote areas.

Laiya Island may be small on the map, but thanks to the passionate young hands from ITK, the island now has great potential to become a model for how tourism and conservation can go hand-in-hand.