From Disaster Risk to Ecotourism: The Youth Movement of Ampiang Parak Coastal Village, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Aceh in 2004, followed by the 2009 earthquake in Padang, had a significant impact on Indonesian society, particularly on the people living along the west coast of Sumatra. Experts predict that a significant earthquake (megathrust) may occur due to the ongoing collision of the Indo- Australian Plate beneath the Sunda (Eurasian) Plate, which moves at an average rate of 5.7 cm per year in the Mentawai Islands region. This potential earthquake could trigger massive tsunami waves, expected to travel at speeds of 600–800 km per hour and reach heights of up to 20 meters, primarily affecting the western coast of West Sumatra. Awareness of this disaster risk is widespread among the people of West Sumatra, including those in coastal areas. In response to this threat, the youth of Nagari Ampiang Parak, a village in the Pesisir Selatan district, took proactive measures. Initially, the village had an open coastline with a barren beach devoid of trees. Recognizing the high tsunami risk, a group of young people led by Haridman initiated an environmental protection effort in 2013. They began planting sea pine trees, obtaining seedlings in small quantities from government agencies. So far, they have successfully grown sea pines and mangroves along 2.7 km of coastline, covering a width of 300 meters. Additionally, they established a turtle conservation park, which attracts international tourists with support from PLN's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and assistance from the foreign NGO A.S.B.