MENJAGA RAJA AMPAT DARI ANCAMAN NIKEL DEMI SURGA TERAKHIR INDONESIA

Abstract

Raja Ampat is home to the highest marine biodiversity in the world and is widely known as the “last paradise of Indonesia.” However, this ecological gem is now under serious threat from the expansion of the nickel mining industry. This article explores the ecological, social, and economic impacts of nickel mining activities in the Raja Ampat region, particularly on marine ecosystems, Indigenous communities, and the sustainable ecotourism sector. Through a review of literature and reports from conservation organizations, the article highlights the conflict between Indonesia's national mineral downstreaming policy and its environmental conservation commitments. The findings indicate that mining operations in ecologically fragile areas like Raja Ampat risk causing irreversible damage to coral reefs, reducing local community income, and weakening the traditional roles of Indigenous peoples in natural resource management. Therefore, environmentally sound policies are urgently needed, including strict environmental audits, a moratorium on mining in conservation zones, and empowerment of local communities as frontline guardians of the ecosystem. Such efforts are essential to protect Raja Ampat as an irreplaceable ecological heritage of the world.