SIDOARJO, JurnalPost.com — An area once impacted by mud eruptions now presents a new face at the mouth of the Porong River in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java. Hardened sediment deposits have gradually formed new land, which has since been colonized by mangrove vegetation.
This land is now known as Lusi Island, an abbreviation for Lumpur Sidoarjo (Sidoarjo Mud). The area is part of the Tlocor Marine Tourism site in Kedungpandan Village, Jabon District, and has developed into a popular nature tourism destination, especially on weekends.
The potential of Lusi Island has attracted the attention of a research team from the Tourism Study Program at the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur (UPN Veteran Jatim). From July to August 2026, the team conducted research focusing on the development of an experience-based interpretation concept.
The research aims to ensure that visiting Lusi Island is not merely recreational, but also provides tourists with an understanding of the area's formation history, mangrove ecosystems, coastal environments, and the role of the community in managing them.
Lusi Island was formed from mud deposits in the Porong River estuary. Over time, various types of mangroves have grown with varying densities, forming a new coastal ecosystem that has become one of the area's primary attractions.
Tourism management has been carried out independently by the community through the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) since 2019. Tourists can enjoy mangrove panoramas, explore the area, go fishing, and experience the coastal atmosphere.
However, the research team believes the potential of Lusi Island extends far beyond its landscape. The history of the island's formation, the sedimentation process, the development of the mangrove ecosystem, and community involvement can be packaged into an engaging educational experience for visitors.
From Passive Tourism to Educational Experience
Until now, tourist activities on Lusi Island have largely centered on enjoying the mangrove forest views, walking along established paths, and taking photos.
The research team believes these activities can be enhanced with an interpretive approach that helps tourists understand the stories behind the landscapes they witness.
Through the experience-based interpretation concept, visitors do not just receive information about Lusi Island; they are invited to understand the stages of the area's transformation.
The narrative can begin with the mud eruption phenomenon, the process of material deposition at the Porong River estuary, the formation of new land, and the growth of mangrove vegetation that eventually developed into a coastal ecosystem.
This concept can be implemented through various activities, such as planting mangrove seedlings, exploring interpretive trails, using interactive educational media, and engaging directly with the local community.
With this approach, tourism on Lusi Island is expected to go beyond simple recreation. Tourists will also gain learning experiences regarding the environment, the formation process of the area, mangrove conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
Supporting Three SDGs Agendas
The development of experience-based tourism on Lusi Island is also linked to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 13 on Climate Action, SDG 14 on Life Below Water, and SDG 15 on Life on Land.
The connection to SDG 15 is evident through efforts to understand and maintain the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem and the habitats developing on Lusi Island.
Meanwhile, the presence of mangroves in the estuary and coastal areas relates to SDG 14, as this vegetation plays a role in maintaining the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
The implementation of SDG 13 is reflected in the use of the area as an educational medium regarding the environment, climate change, disaster risk, and the importance of increasing coastal area resilience.
Through the experience-based interpretation concept, these issues are not just conveyed through written information. Tourists can see, do, and understand the various processes occurring in the area firsthand.
This research is expected to contribute to the development of tourism science while serving as part of an effort to encourage more sustainable management of Lusi Island.
The area, born from major environmental changes, now has the opportunity to become a space for learning about the relationship between humans, disasters, ecosystems, and natural recovery processes.
The history behind the formation of Lusi Island can continue to be passed on to the next generation, while the mangrove ecosystem growing upon it can be preserved as part of Sidoarjo's coastal environmental heritage.
Author: Sheidy Yudhiasta
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