With long stretches of white sand beaches, undeveloped forest, rice terraces and volcanoes, Lombok has been described as the Bali of yesteryear. However the addition of an international airport in 2011 has brought many investors and tourists, threatening the local people and wilderness. In an attempt to preserve the island's culture and natural scenery, some tour companies and hotels on Lombok are offering sustainable accommodations, trekking, diving and agricultural adventures.
The reef surrounding Lombok's Gili Islands marvels divers and snorkelers with sea turtles, schools of fish, sharks and coral gardens; however, it faces serious threats. Pollution, overfishing, reef bombing and irresponsible recreation damage the reef daily. The Gili Eco Trust, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the coral reef between Bali and Lombok, works with dive outfits on Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno to ensure that divers do not damage the reef further. Every dive shop offers coral watch dives, in which divers collect data for scientists leading reef preservation efforts. Dive outfits on the Gilis also provide reef check eco diver certifications for those interested in working with scientists to rebuild coral reefs.
The sweeping views of Lombok, the Gilis and Bali from the top of Mount Rinjani inspire adventurous travelers to endure multiday hikes to reach the volcano's summit. Lombok Odyssey arranges ecologically sound tours to the top with the Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Program. A portion of profits go toward supporting and developing the local community to improve the quality of life. The company also leads tours of the Rinjani National Park and the surrounding village communities. The Rinjani Trekking Club, run by a team of biologists, works with porters on trekking tours to ensure that they bring all waste off the mountain with them. Before setting out on a trek, check the weather and trail conditions, as heavy rains may prohibit passages and reduce visibility at the top.
The beach town of Senggigi may boast four-star resorts, but eco lodge options exist on Lombok as well. The Sanctuary in Lombok on the southeast coast was built with natural locally sourced materials; it does not use air conditioning, maintains its grounds organically without pesticides and actively works to protect the nearby coral reef by collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Rinjani Beach Eco Resort sits on its own private volcanic sand beach with views of Bali, rice terraces and Mount Rinjani. The bungalows are made with locally sourced bamboo, and they employ diligent waste management techniques. The resort also participates in a program to help reintroduce turtles into a clean marine environment in front of the resort.
For complete immersion in a truly sustainable village, eco-conscious travelers can take a tour in the small town of Tetebatu. This self-sustaining community harvests several types of rice, grows a variety of vegetables and uses the many local fresh fruits in their cuisine. The locals produce artisan handicrafts such as terracotta and basketry. Travelers can observe wildlife in the Monkey Forest just a few miles from the town or take a guided tour of the nearby waterfalls.
