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Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.
Aminah*1, Bunga Jasmine Puji Hapsari2
1Faculty of Law, Universitas Diponegoro, Jalan dr. Antonius Suroyo, Tembalang, Semarang City, Central Java 50275, Indonesia. Email: aminahundip@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6217-2141
2Faculty of Law, Universitas Diponegoro, Jalan dr. Antonius Suroyo, Tembalang, Semarang City, Central Java 50275, Indonesia. Email: bungajph@lecturer.undip.ac.id | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1195-8268
*Corresponding author
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2): 60-77. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
Received: 17 October 2025
Reviewed: 19 November 2025
Provisionally Accepted: 12 December 2025
Revised: 30 April 2026
Finally Accepted: 11 May 2026
Published: 30 August 2026
Wakatobi, an archipelagic region in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, is home to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, making it a crucial marine biodiversity hotspot. Illegal sand mining increasingly threatens these coral ecosystems, causing significant ecological and socio-economic damage. This research examines the extent and impacts of illegal sand mining in Wakatobi, focusing on its effects on coral reefs, the local economy, and marine biodiversity. The study employs a sociological–juridical approach, using primary interview data and secondary legal and scientific sources, analyzed qualitatively to assess enforcement practices, ecological impacts, and stakeholder roles. Although Indonesia has regulatory frameworks prohibiting sand extraction in conservation zones, weak enforcement, limited community awareness, and the absence of sustainable livelihood alternatives hinder effective control. The study proposes a multi-stakeholder cooperation agreement involving the government, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector to regulate sand mining, restore damaged ecosystems, and promote sustainable development. This collaborative approach is intended to provide a sustainable model for coral reef conservation that could be replicated in other coastal areas. The cooperation agreement is a crucial step toward protecting marine ecosystems and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 and SDG 15, which focus on conserving marine life and protecting biodiversity.
Wakatobi; Coral reef conservation; Illegal sand mining; Multistakeholder cooperation; Sustainable development
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Aminah and Hapsari, B.J.P. (2026). Protecting Underwater Paradise: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Address Illegal Sand Mining in Wakatobi, Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2): 60-77. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
Aminah, & Hapsari, B. J. P. (2026). Protecting Underwater Paradise: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Address Illegal Sand Mining in Wakatobi, Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9(2), 60-77. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
Aminah, Hapsari B. J. P. Protecting Underwater Paradise: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Address Illegal Sand Mining in Wakatobi, Indonesia. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2026, 9 (2), 60-77. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
Aminah, Hapsari, Bunga Jasmine Puji. 2026. “Protecting Underwater Paradise: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Address Illegal Sand Mining in Wakatobi, Indonesia”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9 no. 2: 60-77. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
Aminah and Bunga Jasmine Puji Hapsari. 2026. “Protecting Underwater Paradise: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Address Illegal Sand Mining in Wakatobi, Indonesia”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 9 (2): 60-77. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.090203
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