A field verification team from Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment conducted an on-site assessment of Hermansyah, a nominee for the 2026 Kalpataru Award in the Mentor category, at Pramuka Island in Panggang Village, North Thousand Islands District. The visit aimed to directly evaluate the consistency and innovation behind Hermansyah’s environmental conservation efforts in the Thousand Islands region. The verification team was accompanied by representatives from Jakarta’s Environmental Agency, the Thousand Islands Environmental Sub-agency, and local government officials. According to Head of Community Participation and Environmental Compliance Section of the Thousand Islands Environmental Sub-agency, Riza Lestari Ningsih, the process was essential to ensure that the submitted data matched real conditions in the field.
Riza explained that the Kalpataru Award is the Indonesian government’s highest environmental honor, presented to individuals or groups considered to have made extraordinary contributions to environmental preservation. She said the field verification also examined the broader impact of Hermansyah’s initiatives on coastal ecosystems and community empowerment programs. Riza expressed optimism that Hermansyah’s long-term dedication to protecting marine ecosystems could bring recognition not only to himself, but also to Jakarta Province at the national level. She added that his work could inspire more residents to become actively involved in environmental conservation efforts.
Hermansyah, who is also the head of the Pramuka Island Tourism Awareness Group and founder of Smiling Coral Indonesia, said he had prepared all supporting documents and inspection sites well in advance of the visit. During the verification, the team reviewed several conservation areas, including coral reef transplantation sites, mangrove nurseries and planting areas, as well as community-based waste management systems developed under his initiatives. Hermansyah explained that the team was shown the entire restoration process, from coral rehabilitation methods to environmental education programs involving local residents. He emphasized that collaboration with the community remains a key part of ensuring long-term environmental sustainability in the islands.
Hermansyah said his primary goal goes beyond receiving an award, stressing that preserving marine ecosystems for future generations remains the main mission of his conservation work. He expressed hope that the environmental programs carried out together with island residents would continue to grow and provide lasting benefits for both marine biodiversity and the local economy. The field verification is expected to become one of the determining stages in the selection process for the 2026 Kalpataru Award recipients. The award itself is widely regarded as one of Indonesia’s most prestigious recognitions for environmental stewardship and sustainable community initiatives.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
