Mobilizing Villages to Protect Nature: Assessing the Role of Pokdarwis in Institutions the Creative Economy and Ecology

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the role of the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) in the development of an ecotourism village in Pekon Kiluan Negeri, Tanggamus Regency, which integrates institutional, creative economy, and ecological conservation dimensions. Although Kiluan Bay possesses a geographical advantage as a dolphin habitat, fluctuations in tourist arrivals and managerial limitations pose significant challenges to achieving sustainable development. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through technical triangulation, including in-depth interviews with eight key informants, participant observation, and documentation conducted between March and April 2026. The results indicate that the Pokdarwis in Pekon Kiluan Negeri has transformed into a "Hybrid Institution" capable of simultaneously aligning three main pillars. In the institutional aspect, Pokdarwis established a foundation through a clear organizational structure and digital-based coordination. In the economic dimension, the group successfully encouraged community income diversification through the development of creative MSMEs and inclusive tourism services. Meanwhile, in the environmental aspect, Pokdarwis carried out monitoring functions for marine mammal habitats and community-based waste management. The success of this integrative model is evidenced by Pekon Kiluan Negeri's achievement as the second-place winner in the 2023 National Archipelago Tourism Village Competition. The study concludes that continuous strengthening of managerial capacity and ecological literacy within grassroots institutions is the primary key to achieving a balance between economic profitability and the preservation of coastal ecosystems