Conservation efforts remain positive and ongoing within the community. A few villagers have increased their activity as nature guides within the forest reserve. Project leaders are reporting increased bird activity within the forest. Plans for the rest of 2008 include finishing the last instruments for the community center’s gamelan ensemble and completing work on a forest temple.

The village began construction in late spring 2007, completing the building in August 2007. The building has a computer room for the school and the community as well as a hand-carved gamelan (set of traditional musical instruments) for the children’s orchestra. Construction of the stepping path and demarcation signs for the forest reserve were also completed. An official opening ceremony was held in October 2007 with members of the Seacology expedition to Raja Ampat in attendance.

As of March 2007, designs for the building were being finalized, and the village planned to begin construction in late spring 2007. Wood carvings for the gamelan (traditional Balinese musical instruments) were being completed in preparation for instrument construction and their eventual use in the refurbished building. Construction of the stepping path and demarcation signs for the forest reserve was also being completed. The village anticipates that they will have some funding left over to build an ecofriendly public toilet at the top of the stone path at the temple.

In 2006, villagers asked Seacology if they could make two areas within the reserve (approximately three acres) exempt from permanent reserve status so they can properly anticipate the need for future repairs to the sites of two existing temples. With the agreement modified to reflect this exemption, the project leader sent in the final paperwork in September 2006.

Seacology has received a budget for the project and a map of the proposed protected area. The village is currently reviewing the covenant agreeing to the long-term commitment of the no-take reserve, which they want to honor very seriously. They may ask Seacology to agree to clarify that an area within the no-take zone of about three acres is for existing temple uses. Field Representative Arnaz Mehta expects documentation to be ready by June 2006.