Balidiscovery.com shares the sad news of the death of Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, a dedicated and much-admired marine conservationist based in Bali.
Gayatri Llley died on Thursday, 13 November 2025, at Bali International Hospital.
Gayatri was a major force in leading initiatives among local citizens, vulnerable groups, and fishing communities to promote coastal and reef preservation in Indonesia.
Among many other activities, she is remembered for her pioneering work in the 1990s, concurrent with the establishment of Taka Bonerate as an Indonesian National Park, and for raising awareness of the importance of environmental concern and reef conservation.
More than a quarter-century later, Gayatri’s work is fondly recalled by three local community Bajo leaders in Rajuni, Selayar Island – Haji Darwis, Pak Haya, and Pak Coang – as a good, attentive, friendly, and understanding leader who left a lasting positive impact locally while also introducing Taka Bonerate to the broader world.
She is credited with bringing Taka Bonerate to the attention of the larger academic community and leading conservation groups. Gayatri is also seen as helping make the world aware of how current fishing practices are threatening the ocean’s environment in the region’s atolls.
Gayatri also co-founded the LINI Foundation – an environmental non-profit group headquartered in Bali, focused on marine conservation, reef fisheries, community development, and fishery management. By improving the lives of coastal communities dependent on marine and coastal resources, LINI Foundation champions a win-win solution that enhances human welfare while preserving nature.
Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, as the Foundation’s Executive Director, once described the work of the LINI Foundation, saying: “We recognize the ongoing importance of promoting coastal livelihoods responsibly and sustainably. These livelihoods are closely intertwined with coastal-marine resources. Our challenge is to connect the key stakeholders in collaborative management.”
Fanatically committed to safeguarding Indonesia’s oceans, Gayatri was a stickler for detail – great and small – including untiring steps to study and understand the Banggai Cardinalfish. Similarly, her concerns encompassed sustainable propagation of ornamental fish, empowerment of coastal women, coral reef restoration, and environmental training for the younger generation.
In 2014, Gayatri received the Ornamental Fish International (OFI) Award for her contributions to the decorative fish industry and global oceanic conservation.
Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley is survived by the Bali-based herpetologist Ron Lilley and the couple’s son, Lawrence.
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