The development of infrastructure in small islands based on environmental carrying capacity (Case study: Ndao Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)

Abstract

Small islands with an area of 2000 km2 or less are vulnerable to sea level rising and accessibility. The availability of infrastructure plays essential roles in socio-economic activities and regional development. However, not all small islands can have the infrastructure needed, except those that have been selected and included in the regional/local government program on the priority of infrastructure provision. The small island of Ndao that locates in the Eastern Region of Indonesia has been developing after being formed into a sub-district in 2011. This paper discusses the possibility of Ndao Island for further development based on the criteria of environmental carrying capacity and vulnerability. The primary data obtained in 2017 and analysed with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method, indicates that Ndao Island is recognised of having low carrying capacity and a deficit of clean water. Ndao has potential natural resources. Therefore, the Local Government has to include this island in the program of priority development by prioritizing the provision of clean water as its supply is limited and low quality due to seawater intrusion. Expectantly these findings become input in determining the priority development and estimating the future population following the carrying capacity of the environment.