These groups also helped make the camping ground more sustainable, providing practical tools such as motion-sensor lamps and solar panels, as well as sharing know-how on waste management — from plastic bottle collection systems to composting — reducing the site’s environmental footprint.
Since the camping ground emerged from a pandemic-induced hiatus in 2022, the Takome village youth group has earned praise and recognition from organisations in Ternate and beyond.
Some companies have since provided donations, allowing the site to expand.
“We’ve recently added cabins so guests who don’t want to spend the night in tents have somewhere comfortable to stay,” Yuhdi said. He added that he also hopes to build birdwatching platforms and camouflaged hides, so visitors can observe wildlife without disturbing it.
The site is now busier than ever, drawing tourists, nature enthusiasts and scientists from across Indonesia and around the world. During the school holiday season, the Pulo Tareba camping ground can welcome as many as 200 tourists a day.
Community involvement has grown as well, with more villagers pitching in — helping with construction, day-to-day operations and conservation patrols. Even those with full-time jobs often lend a hand after returning home in the evenings.
But for the volunteers, the biggest reward has been seeing the cuscus return.
“When we first started, we could spend an entire night without encountering a single cuscus. These days, it can take less than a 15-minute walk before the first encounter,” Yuhdi said.
“I hope it’s a sign that all the hard work we’ve put into protecting the cuscus is finally paying off.”
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