Explore WEST Sumatra

“Earth provides enough for every human need but not for human greed” (Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister of India)

Human greed has damaged biological life, including in the sea and waters. Damage to mangrove forests due to the reduction of mangrove trees, destruction of coral reefs due to the use of fish bombs, and hunting of protected marine animals are the causes of damage to biodiversity, the source of the problem is human greed.

Turtles are not spared from population decline. Since ancient times, turtles have been hunted by humans for consumption or as souvenirs and jewelry. Turtles are wandering animals that are quite tough because they can sail the oceans for thousands of kilometers. Although they have a long life span and can produce 50-100 eggs at a time, the struggle for turtles to grow into adults is very difficult. From 100 hatchlings (turtle chicks) that manage to grow into adults, the chance is only 1-2%. There are many natural enemies of turtles, ranging from predators to parasites, and damage to turtle habitats and humans.

There are seven species of sea turtles in the world spread across the tropics and sub-tropics. Most of them can live almost 100 years and in their life cycle require various types of habitats including sandy beaches and sea. Because of its wide exploration area and various forms of habitat, turtles can meet humans at every stage of their lives. Six species of turtles live in Indonesia, namely green turtles (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate), gray turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), flat turtles (Natator pressus), leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and loggerhead turtles (Carreta carreta).

If you are traveling to the city of Pariaman in West Sumatra, you can visit a turtle breeding area that was built for turtle breeding from eggs to hatchlings ready to be released into the sea. This area is located on Jalan Syech Abdul Arif, Apar village, North Pariaman District, Pariaman City. The location can be reached from Minangkabau International Airport with a travel time of one hour by land. From downtown Pariaman it is only 10 minutes away. You need to know that Apar village has made it into the top 50 of the 2021 Indonesian Tourism Village Award. Tourist destinations in Apar village are based on nature, culture and local wisdom. This village is the first village visited and assessed by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno and the jury on 27 August 2021.

The Task Force Unit of the turtle conservation center in Pariaman is under the auspices of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Affairs of the city of Pariaman. It has several turtle breeding facilities namely an incubation room, turtle nesting, hatchery, and quarantine room. It also provides an information room for visitors who want to find out more information about the hatchlings in the conservation center. In front of the conservation complex, some playgrounds are directly connected to the beach. While behind the complex there is a mangrove forest area.

Established since 2013, this conservation area has become a prima donna for tourists and turtle researchers. Here there are three species that are bred, namely green turtles, hawksbill turtles and gray turtles. At least 600 eggs are ready to be hatched every time here. Every year there is a turtle release. Tourists can release hatchlings while observing the beauty of the sea. You can invite your family to follow the process of releasing hatchlings as part of the education process to love nature for your children.

For turtle eggs that are collected by the community from nature, The Task Force Unit will buy the eggs individually and then take them to the conservation center so that they can be hatched. The public is advised not to consume turtle eggs or meat to maintain the population.