GOLDEN sunset caressed Waru Village, a fishing village located on the south coast of Xantos Island. The waves murmured softly, as if telling a story of past beauty. On his small boat, Mr. Made, an old fisherman with dark, sunburned skin, sighed. His nets were empty. For the past week, the catch had not been enough to cover daily needs.
“Previously, the fish would jump into the boat,” he whispered to his daughter, Tari, who was sitting at the bow of the boat.
Tari, a bright and spirited young girl, looked out sadly at the sea. “But now, you know why? The newly built beach club with a floating restaurant near the Xantos Eco Resort. Since they built it, our sea has become sick.”
They pointed to the cliffs now lined with grand buildings. Concrete walls covered most of the beach, and from a distance, they could see small chimneys constantly emitting steam.
“They filled in the coral for the foundation. That’s where the fish live. And then there’s that pipe,” Tari pointed to a large pipe jutting from behind the cliff. “They dump waste directly into the sea. The water is murky and smells bad.”
Mr. Made nodded bitterly. “They promised prosperity, Tari. But all they brought was destruction.”
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One morning, Budi, the young manager of the beach club, was standing on the floating restaurant’s terrace. His eyes stared out at the blue sea, but all he saw were clumps of white foam floating in the distance. Reports from the housekeeping team showed guest complaints about the foul odor and murky water. Revenue had dropped drastically. He knew his resort was on the verge of collapse.
“This can’t be allowed to continue,” he muttered. “We’ve destroyed the ecosystem.”
Budi decided to visit Waru Village. He walked to Mr. Made’s coffee shop. The villagers’ eyes eyed him suspiciously, as if he were a destroyer returned.
“Mr. Made, Tari,” Budi greeted politely. “May I talk to you?”
Mr. Made stared at him expressionlessly. “What do you want to talk about? About the missing fish? Or about the coral you’ve destroyed?”
Budi swallowed. “I’m here to apologize. We made a huge mistake. We built without thinking about the impact. I’ve seen the damage we’ve caused firsthand.”
Tari stood up, defiant. “Sorry isn’t enough. Our ocean is sick. Our future is ruined.”
“I know,” Budi said. “That’s why I came. I have a plan. I want to ask for your help. We must restore this ocean together.”
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The meeting was held in the village hall. Budi explained his plan passionately. “Our beach club will implement ecologically-based planning. We will move development away from coral and mangrove areas. The building design will use local materials, like bamboo and wood, to reduce our ecological footprint.”
Some residents appeared skeptical. An elderly fisherman asked, “And your waste? Will it continue to be dumped into the ocean?”
“No,” Budi replied firmly. “We will build a sophisticated integrated waste management system. We will recycle all solid waste, in collaboration with the local waste bank. Liquid waste will be treated until it is safe before being released into the environment, or even used to water the resort’s gardens.”
Tari, who had been listening intently, interjected. “Then what about the damage that’s already been done? The dead coral?”
“That’s the most important part,” Budi said. “We’re going to start a massive coral transplantation program. We need your help, Mr. Made, and the other fishermen, who know the ocean best.”
Mr. Made paused, looking at Budi. There was sincerity in the young man’s eyes.
“And not only that,” Budi continued. “We’re going to involve guests in conservation efforts. We’ll encourage them to plant coral, clean the beach, and educate them so they appreciate the ocean, not just enjoy it.”
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The restoration program began. The sewage pipes were removed. A sewage treatment plant was built behind the resort. The fishermen, led by Mr. Made, worked side by side with the resort staff. They collected coral fragments and attached them to an artificial substrate.
Tari served as the main guide in the education program. She took guests diving, pointed out the remaining beauty, and explained the importance of preserving the ocean.
“There used to be thousands of clownfish here,” Tari explained to a group of swimming guests. “But they need coral to live. Let’s help them by planting these corals.”
A small child, wide-eyed at the beauty of the underwater world, asked, “Will the fish come back, Sis?”
Tari smiled. “Of course. If we all take care of it, this sea will definitely heal.”——————————-
A year later, Waru Village was transformed. The sea in front of the resort was clear again. The transplanted coral began to grow, becoming a home for colorful small fish. Pak Made’s net was no longer empty. Now, every morning he brought home fresh fish, which were He sold it to the resort.
One afternoon, Mr. Made and Budi sat on the beach. They watched Tari educating a group of guests, their laughter ringing out cheerfully.
“This morning, I saw a hawksbill turtle near the coral we planted,” Mr. Made said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one.”
Budi smiled. “Our hard work wasn’t in vain, Sir.”
“That’s right,” Mr. Made said. “I used to think beach club only brought destruction. But it turns out, in the right hands, progress can go hand in hand with wisdom. Your beach club isn’t just about building buildings, Budi. You’re rebuilding our hope.”
Budi nodded. “This ocean belongs to all of us. We should protect it together.”
They gazed at the sea, now alive again. The murmur of the waves no longer sounded sad, but rather like a song of joy, celebrating the rekindled friendship between humans and nature. Waru Village is not only a beautiful tourist destination, but also a living example of how collaboration, sincerity, and ecological awareness can transform destruction into a sparkling jewel. (*)
