Runduma Island, Turtle Paradise

Runduma is a paradise for sea turtles. So called because at this white sand island, turtles breed freely forming colonies, without any human interference. Island in the Banda Sea and including the Wakatobi region of Southeast Sulawesi Province was in fact not the uninhabited islands. There was 140 heads of families residing in the island was a very loving nature and their island, so the turtle feel safe living side by side.

Coral reefs in the Banda Sea water is also still alive. Runduma Villagers, District Tomia appreciate life and the marine biota is keeping coral reefs in the region. They never spoil, because the coral reef for them as "mother", who gives life. They catch fish just by using conventional tools, such as trawl and nets only.

They refused to use modern tools let alone fish bombing which can damage coral reefs. They understand the coral reef is home to marine biota biaknya developed, especially fish and turtles. If the destroyed reef fish and turtles will not be there anymore.

Special turtle, on the island there Runduma small island completely uninhabited. On the island without a name, let the people Runduma turtle-turtle lay eggs.

To oversee breeding turtles, superintendent of Wakatobi National Park every month to visit. The goal is to see, and calculate the increase in sea turtle populations around the island.

Before the National Parks Conservation pegawas Wakatobi improve surveillance around the coral reefs of Wakatobi, bullies often come from outside Wakatobi conduct fishing using explosives. Some even dare to anesthesia with a compressor.

They dive down to rock bottom crack spreads and kills fish and other marine biota. As a result of these actions, damaged coral reefs. The fish are not yet harvested dead fish exposed to anesthesia.

According to Shiva, Runduma Village residents, who do pengembomam, anesthesia and poaching of turtle eggs and at the same time is a citizen penyunya outside Runduma Island.

"But our citizens who are often accused Runduma do it all. But not us, but the outsiders who came to destroy coral reefs," said Shiva.

In order for turtle populations remain well preserved on the island Runduma, Regent Wakatobi, Hugua, continued to improve surveillance, monitoring both the Wakatobi National Park, relevant technical agencies and community groups who have received coaching.

It turned out that supervision is not the only effective way to sustainability of coral reefs is maintained until the marine biota remain multiply well, approach the local culture more effectively, which also Hugua said neighborhood activist.

The Regent who had seen how the turtle laying eggs in sand Runduma Island, said that the turtle has a unique way to trick the act ignorant hands. For example, turtles lay their eggs by digging the sand, the turtle walk a few yards and then remove traces his feet.

500 Type

Wakatobi has more than 500 types of coral reefs, spread the "atoll" the world's longest reach 47 kilometers. In general, the dominating species of coral reef ecosystems in this region is Acropora spp and Porites spp. Life is beautiful marine biota. The fish are almost not found in other waters in Indonesia, even in any country can be found in the Wakatobi.

"Sea hourse", frog fish, Napoleon fish, the fish most expensive in the world can still be found on the sidelines of the coral reefs of Wakatobi.

Attention to the coral reefs of Wakatobi not only local government but has attracted worldwide attention. By the World Bank disbursed the budget through the Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program (Coremap) has reached tens of billions of rupiah.

Head of Fisheries and Marine Sultra, Askabul Kijo said, the preservation of coral reefs requires the attention of all parties. The presence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to conserve coral reefs and marine biota assist local governments, said Askabul.

Visitors who want to enjoy the tour in a large group of four islands in the Wakatobi (Wanci, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko) can use several alternatives. Travelers can use the investor's air transporasi tour Mr. Onemobaa Island Lorens. Air transport is the only one who can reach the Wakatobi. They even had to through Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar. Cost to reach dozens of million rupiah.

Can also be by sea, the boat ride from Kendari quick to City Baubau then use timber ships to the Port of Wangi-Wangi. Cost around Rp800 thousand round trip (PP). It is relatively expensive, but it will pay off with beautiful panorama tunua offered Rundama.