AJALO Bird Race 2026 Promotes Conservation and Ecotourism in North Maluku
North Maluku-Jayanews.com – North Maluku once again demonstrated its role as one of Indonesia’s key biodiversity hotspots by holding the AJALO Bird Race International Championship 2026 at the Tayawi Resort, SPTN Region I, Aketajawe Lolobata National Park (TNAL), Tidore Islands City, from Monday (July 27, 2026) to Wednesday (July 29, 2026).
This international-level bird watching, photography, and sketching event was held for the first time in North Maluku as an effort to introduce Indonesia’s rich biodiversity to the world.
In conjunction with this event, the Aketajawe Lolobata National Park Office, in collaboration with the Directorate of Environmental Services Utilization of the Ministry of Forestry, also held a Lens Corner in the Ake Jawi area, SPTN Region III Subaim.
Both events are part of an effort to strengthen conservation and develop biodiversity-based ecotourism potential.
The Regional Secretary of North Maluku Province, Samsuddin Abdul Kadir, stated that the 2026 AJALO Bird Race International Championship is a crucial opportunity to introduce North Maluku’s rich biodiversity to the international community.
“This event is not just a competition, but also a concrete initiative to introduce and promote North Maluku’s rich biodiversity to the world. Through this event, we want to demonstrate that North Maluku’s biodiversity deserves to be recognized internationally and can become a new force for the development of Indonesian ecotourism,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 29, 2026).
He added that developing conservation-based ecotourism is a regional development strategy that can maintain environmental sustainability while providing economic benefits to the community.
Bulwark of Biodiversity
Aketajawe Lolobata National Park is known as a bastion of biodiversity in the Wallacea region, home to various endemic bird species with high conservation value.
This potential makes this area a major attraction for birdwatching, research, nature photography, and conservation-based tourism.
Dozens of participants from various regions and countries participated in the championship. They included students, birdwatching communities, conservationists, academics, professional photographers, business owners, tour operators, and influencers.
The Head of the Aketajawe Lolobata National Park, Budhi Chandra, stated that the AJALO Bird Race International Championship was not only a competition but also a platform for education and biodiversity data collection.
The competition featured three categories: Birding, Wildlife Sketch, and Bird Photography. In addition to honing participants’ skills in observing and documenting wild birds, the event also aimed to strengthen the database of birds in their natural habitats and raise public awareness of wildlife conservation.
Landscape
Meanwhile, the Lens Corner event in Ake Jawi was attended by 10 participants, including professional photographers, tour operators, and influencers.
They documented the landscape, wildlife, and tourism potential of the area as promotional material to expand the exposure of Aketajawe Lolobata National Park nationally and internationally.
The series of activities also included the release of the White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) and the Ternate Lory (Lorius garrulus) in collaboration with the North Maluku Provincial Government and experts from the Ministry of Forestry.
The release of these two endemic species symbolizes a shared commitment to preserving wildlife and their habitats.
According to Budhi, the bird race has now developed into a conservation movement that strengthens the birdwatching community network, supports the development of scientific knowledge, and encourages the growth of sustainable ecotourism.
The AJALO Bird Race International Championship 2026 and Lens Corner are part of the Road to National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) 2026 series. Through collaboration between the government, academics, communities, businesses, media, and the public, Aketajawe Lolobata National Park is expected to become increasingly recognized as one of the best birdwatching destinations in Indonesia and a conservation icon in the Wallacea region.
From Halmahera to the world, protecting birds means protecting the future. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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