The Role of Community Perception and Participation in Reducing Land-Based Sources of Aquatic Pollution: A Waste Management Model from Badung, Bali

Maharani, Shinta Enggar; Thanaya, I Nyoman Arya; Mahendra, Made Sudiana; Dharma, I Gusti Bagus Sila

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.429785.6722

The Role of Community Perception and Participation in Reducing Land-Based Sources of Aquatic Pollution: A Waste Management Model from Badung, Bali

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar, Indonesia

² Udayana University

10.21608/ejabf.2025.429785.6722

Abstract

The degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems due to land-based pollution is a critical global challenge. In tourism-dependent coastal regions like Badung Regency, Bali, rapidly increasing household and tourism waste threatens aquatic environments, fisheries, and coral reefs. This study addressed this issue by developing a participatory waste management model aimed at mitigating a primary source of aquatic pollution. A mixed-method approach was employed in 2024, combining a quantitative household survey of 400 respondents analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-AMOS) with qualitative data from 20 key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that community perception is a significant driver of both public participation in waste management activities (β= 0.41, P< 0.001) and the demand for institutional support (β= 0.36, P= 0.002). Furthermore, active participation was identified as the most critical predictor of the model's effectiveness (β= 0.48, P< 0.001). Institutional support also plays a vital role by directly enhancing effectiveness (β= 0.27, P= 0.009) and moderating the relationship between perception and participation. Qualitative data underscored the importance of leveraging local cultural traditions to foster community engagement. This research demonstrates that managing terrestrial waste through a community-centered, participatory framework is an effective upstream strategy for protecting aquatic resources. The validated model provides an evidence-based approach for coastal governance, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners in the fields of aquatic management and conservation. By strengthening community involvement in waste management on land, significant reductions can be achieved in the flow of pollutants into marine and freshwater systems.

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