Lombok Zone – The village of Taman Ayu in the Gerung District has recently become a focal point in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial government’s “Empowered Village” initiative. This area, rich in unique geographical traits, boasts significant tourism potential but faces a variety of complex economic and environmental challenges.
During his visit on Thursday, February 26, 2026, NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal emphasized that addressing poverty in Taman Ayu requires a comprehensive approach rather than piecemeal solutions. He introduced the concept of “Orchestration and Collaboration” to unify various existing programs that previously operated in isolation.
“Poverty is a multifaceted phenomenon. We cannot tackle just one aspect, like waste management or disaster relief, and expect to eradicate poverty completely. All stakeholders — from the provincial and district levels to villages and private sectors — must work harmoniously together,” he asserted.
Governor Iqbal detailed initial steps, which included verifying extreme poverty data. Out of an estimated 7,000 individuals, the actual number verified by supporting teams was found to be around 4,000.
To tackle these issues, the provincial government has developed two intervention schemes:
- Village Level: An allocation of approximately Rp 500 million aimed at strengthening village infrastructure and harnessing local potential.
- Family Level: Direct interventions aimed at meeting the needs of targeted households.
“Our focus is on food security and tourism. I urge village assistants not to start from scratch but to gather the existing pieces from programs like PKH or previous village initiatives,” he added.
On the other hand, Taman Ayu’s village chief, Muhammad Tajudin, shared insights about the village’s geography, bordered by two major rivers, the Babak and Dodokan, and adjacent to the sea on the west and mountains on the east. Despite its natural beauty, each hamlet within Taman Ayu possesses a wealth of artistic traditions, including Wayang, Gamelan, Gendang Beleq, and weaving.
However, Tajudin expressed deep concern over severe coastal erosion that has claimed approximately 70 hectares of beachfront, affecting 10 to 20 hectares of private land. “The erosion is drastic, shaping a crescent-like pattern when viewed on the Lombok map. We have communicated with the provincial authorities, but the costs of building a breakwater are substantial. Even the previously planted pine trees and existing groins have been swept away by the sea,” he explained.
In addition to erosion, air pollution from the material trucks and coal dust around the PLTU site, along with garbage odors, pose challenges that undermine the appeal of this beautiful village.
In line with the governor’s vision, Chief Tajudin noted their focus on addressing poverty among the most vulnerable groups. Taman Ayu has now established formal structures, including a Disability Forum and an Equal School Forum for women to ensure these groups remain empowered and included in the development process.
The visit concluded with a lively discussion involving the Governor, provincial OPD officials, West Lombok government representatives, and local residents to formulate concrete steps to address coastal erosion and capitalize on Taman Ayu’s tourism potential as a catalyst for local economic growth.
