The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) continues to strengthen efforts to address waste management issues in the tourist area of Gili Trawangan. Head of the NTB Tourism and Creative Economy Office, Ahmad Nur Aulia, stated that waste management in the area is now showing positive progress with the operation of an additional electric-powered incinerator.
According to Ahmad, waste management is not only about disposal but also involves reducing waste at its source. “The waste issue consists of two major elements: how it is managed and how it is reduced. This sense of collective responsibility must be fostered to ensure that the natural beauty of Gili Trawangan is preserved,” he said.
He explained that an electric-based incinerator has recently been added in Gili Trawangan. The facility is already operational and is expected to significantly reduce waste volume. “Thank God, the incinerator is now running. Over the past few days, it has undergone trial operations and is now fully operational,” he said.
With the incinerator in operation, Ahmad hopes that the accumulation of waste, which has long been a concern, can soon be reduced or even eliminated. However, he emphasized that solutions must not rely solely on technology. “Handling waste through incineration is important, but waste reduction by every tourism service provider in the area must also be implemented,” he stressed.
Regarding licensing and conservation issues that had previously drawn attention, Ahmad ensured that all procedures have been completed and no longer pose obstacles. The incinerator is a grant from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and is operated by the North Lombok Regency Government through a partnership scheme with the local community.
He also addressed public concerns about potential smoke emissions from the facility. According to him, the electric-powered incinerator produces relatively clean emissions and is continuously monitored. “We provide constant updates. Our team has been on-site, and based on preliminary reports, the operations are safe,” he said.
The NTB Provincial Government is committed to continuously monitoring and evaluating waste management in Gili Trawangan to safeguard environmental sustainability while maintaining NTB’s image as a world-class tourism destination.
