CTI-CFF congratulates Atauro Island of Timor-Leste as 2021’s Top 100 Good Destinations Sustainability Stories

CTI-CFF congratulates and celebrates Atauro Island of Timor-Leste for being included in the 2021 Top 100 Good Destination Sustainability Stories by Great Destinations.

“The Great Destinations recognition affirms that, with community and government support as well as ecotourism integration, sustainable development for the marine protected areas on the island can be achieved,” said Dr. Mohd Kushairi Mohd Rajuddin, Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat.

Atauro Island is a 25 km stretch of volcanic rock and home to some of the most biodiverse reefs in the world. The island is rich in natural resources, including coral reefs, endangered cetaceans migrating through the Ombai-Wetar Strait, and rare terrestrial flora and fauna.

According to greendestinations.org, the community in Atauro Island has revived cultural traditions to support marine protected areas and foster ecotourism development through tara bandu. Tara bandu, a Tetum word meaning “prohibition (bandu) by hanging (taru),” is both a code of behavior and a community ritual that uses local conservation knowledge to expand social networks and community cooperation. On Atauro Island, Tara Bandu has been used to protect mangrove areas, nut trees, traditional bee farms, and more recently, to establish 13 Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) across the island.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when tourism was largely suspended, MMA managers have been working to implement more resilient and flexible systems for marine protection, including seasonal closures, bans on certain species, and alternative sources of funding for villagers affected by the protected area closures.

Learn more about why Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, is a recipient of the 2021 Top 100 Good Destinations Sustainability Stories here: https://bit.ly/3CbiWTk