Mitigating the Double-Edged Impact of Ecotourism - Human-Environment Impact of Eco-Tourism in Malang and Batu City

Why This Project is Needed

Eco-tourism has brought Malang and Batu City into the spotlight as leading nature destinations in East Java, attracting a surge of visitors and investment. However, unmanaged growth is overwhelming local ecosystems and communities:

• Waste production has outstripped collection and disposal capacity, leading to pollution and visual blight.

• Biodiversity and habitats are threatened by habitat fragmentation and increased foot traffic in sensitive areas.

• Water and energy resources are stretched thin during tourism peaks, impacting local residents.

• Traffic congestion and air/noise pollution are rising, decreasing the quality of life and visitor satisfaction.

• Socio-cultural pressures disrupt community cohesion as traditional livelihoods and local culture are altered.

A strategic, adaptive approach is urgent to ensure eco-tourism remains a positive force—protecting the region’s natural and social assets for future generations.

Project Outcomes: Timeline & Impact

Immediate Outcomes (Year 1)

• Baseline impact assessment at key eco-tourism sites (waste, biodiversity, resource use, pollution)

• Stakeholder engagement: Workshops and consultations with local communities, businesses, authorities, and tourists to map problems and opportunities.

• Pilot interventions: Launch smart visitor management (quotas/timed entry, reservation apps) and basic zero-waste and recycling initiatives at crowded hotspots.

• Awareness campaigns: Environmental education for tourists and tour operators.

Impact:

• Local buy-in and engagement,

• First data on real impacts,

• Quick-win pilots in waste reduction and visitor flow established.

Mid-Term Outcomes (Years 2–3)

• Integrated digital dashboard: Real-time monitoring of environmental and social indicators.

• Expanded pilots: Scale up successful interventions (zero-waste, advanced recycling, clean mobility, eco-guide training).

• Continuous community feedback: Review sessions to improve and adjust strategies.

• Policy recommendations: Toolkit and guidelines for integrating adaptive management into local tourism policy and destination planning.

Impact:

• Measurable reduction in waste and resource overuse,

• Improved ecosystem and community health,

• Uptake of best practices by tourism operators and policy-makers.

Long-Term Impact (Years 4–10)

• Region-wide scale-up: Broader integration of mitigation strategies into city and regional planning.

• Replication: Model adopted by other tourism hotpots in Southeast Asia.

• Living lab ecosystem: Malang and Batu serve as hubs for ongoing research, policy innovation, and talent exchange in sustainable tourism.

Impact:

• Decline in pollution and ecosystem degradation,

• Improved livelihoods and resilience for local communities,

• Recognition as regional leaders in adaptive, resilient eco-tourism.

Visionary Outcomes (10+ Years)

• Sustained environmental quality: Protected and thriving local ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Resilient, inclusive tourism economies: Communities benefit, cultural identities are sustained, and tourism remains vibrant.

• National and ASEAN leadership: Malang and Batu City set the benchmark for sustainability-driven tourism.

What Can Be Achieved Over Time

Year

Key Milestone & Impact

1

Environmental/social baseline, community engagement, pilot interventions launched

3

Digital monitoring and mitigation working, regional toolkit and policy briefs published

5

Multiple sites using adaptive management, broader regional impact on environment/economy

10

Malang/Batu regionally recognized as models for sustainable, responsive eco-tourism

20

Resilient, inclusive, and nature-positive tourism economies drive long-term well-being

Unique Features

• Integrated approach: Combines field science, community engagement, digital tools, and policy innovation.

• Participatory co-design: Solutions are developed hand-in-hand with local stakeholders—ensuring relevance and impact.

• Data-driven, adaptive management: Enables real-time interventions and continuous learning.

• Scalable and replicable blueprint: Designed for easy adoption in other destinations region-wide.

Alignment with SCII Outcomes

• Sustainability leadership: Focuses on environmental management, stakeholder engagement, and policy innovation.

• Applied, interdisciplinary research: Real-world fieldwork, impact measurement, and change implementation.

• Regional systems change: Lays the framework for broader adoption and ongoing improvement in Southeast Asia’s tourism sector.

By addressing eco-tourism’s human-environment impacts through this robust, participatory, and science-based approach, Malang and Batu City can lead Southeast Asia in creating adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable tourism destinations for generations to come.