“I joined SALAMA because I saw too much destruction, mangroves cut down, and turtles slaughtered for meat and eggs. Many didn’t realise these species are important for our coast. Today, thank God, the poaching has begun to decrease. We are here to protect and preserve what remains for our future,” stated Zirlan, Secretary of the SALAMA Group.

Meaning “Safe” in the native Kaili tongue, SALAMA unites fishers, youth, and housewives as frontline guardians. Between February and April 2026, they rescued over 1,000 Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtle eggs from nine nesting sites, securing them from poachers and high-tide erosion.

However, these patrols also reveal a sobering reality: some nests are found empty, proving that illegal poaching remains a persistent threat. For years, many villagers were unaware that these turtles are a protected species, partly because Lalombi, despite sitting along marine migration routes, has been historically overlooked by the scientific community. While elders recall Leatherback turtles nesting here in the past, the species has not been sighted since 2011, leaving only the Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtle to frequent these shores.

Beyond physical rescue, SALAMA utilizes “citizen science” methods taught by Yayasan Konservasi Laut (YKL) Indonesia and Yayasan Bonebula (partners of Yayasan KEHATI within the SOLUSI Project) to map nesting coordinates and the frontline educators. This data forms the baseline for the development of a new Village Regulation (Perdes), formalizing species protection into local law with the Village Head’s full backing.

As an important action of the SOLUSI Project, this dedication embodies “Positive LaS Interconnectedness”, one of Land-and-Seascape (LaS) indicators. By protecting the land-sea transition zone, SALAMA ensures local coastal management directly sustains marine biodiversity. This empowerment has also sparked a long-term vision for them to establish a Koperasi (Credit Union) to ensure financial stability and an exit strategy once the project concludes.

“The active involvement of local communities like SALAMA is absolutely important,” states Muhammad G. Korebima, SOLUSI Team Leader of Yayasan KEHATI. “They fill critical gaps in oversight and safeguard, triggering the collective action essential for a sustainable future.”

This movement is encapsulated in their local tagline, “Jagai Ponu” (Save the Turtles). Inspired by former poachers who have now joined as guardians, the message serves as a reminder that the protection of Lalombi’s shores is now firmly in the hands of its people.