Reviving Reefs Through the Work of Local Heroes

Ecotourism is more than visiting beautiful places, but it is about the people who defend them. Across the archipelago, unsung heroes restore ecosystems while shaping meaningful travel experiences. They bring science, culture, and stewardship together to ensure that future generations inherit oceans still alive with color. This is the human side of tourism in Indonesia, where conservation becomes the backbone of discovery. Supported by the Indonesian ecotourism network, their dedication shows that travel can be both a privilege and a responsibility.

Born in Manggarai in 1979, Basilius Agas, better known as Lius, has walked an unusual path from public health officer to coral conservationist. As co-founder and advisor of Bakti Tunas Negri, he shifted his focus from medicine to marine protection. For him, coral reefs are more than dive sites. They are living classrooms and the lungs of the sea. His vision is simple yet profound: heal the reef, and you heal both community and tourism. This philosophy has guided his journey into the frontline of conservation.

Since 2021, Lius has overseen coral transplantation projects in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park. Working with partners like Air Nav Indonesia, WIKA, Pegadaian, Telkom Indonesia, and eco-minded resorts, his team has planted thousands of coral fragments back onto damaged reefs. Slowly, barren seabeds have transformed into thriving habitats where fish return and biodiversity flourishes. These projects not only regenerate ecosystems but also enhance tourism in Indonesia, ensuring divers and snorkelers encounter vibrant reefs instead of ruins. They exemplify the mission of the Indonesian ecotourism network, where conservation and travel sustain each other.

Lius believes reefs cannot be saved without people. His approach blends environmental science with local education, involving fishermen, youth groups, and schools in restoration efforts. By training communities to care for the coral, he ensures that conservation outlives any single project. Visitors often witness or even participate in coral planting, turning their trips into acts of stewardship. This ripple effect strengthens both awareness and pride, reminding all that ecotourism is most powerful when shaped by community.

Lius embodies what it means to be an ecotourism hero. His coral work proves that reefs can recover when passion meets persistence. In honoring people like him, we honor a vision where tourism in Indonesia is guided by care as much as curiosity. Let us choose journeys that protect the reef, so future travelers can still marvel at oceans alive with color.