Surabaya mangrove forests home to 140 species of Java`s biggest birds

Antara 27 Jul 08;

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - The mangrove forest conservation area in Wonorejo on Surabaya`s east coast has 140 species of Java island`s biggest birds.

Bambang DH, mayor of Surabaya, said here Saturday of the 140 bird species, about 84 are categorized as sedentary, 12 species as protected and 44 as migrant species.

"We should thank God that we have a good environment here. We hope the bird diversity can be maintained," he said after launching a drive to plant 15,000 mangrove trees on Surabaya`s east coast.

Surabaya`s east coast also constitutes a mangrove conservation center area and a buffer zone in the seaside ecosystem which is protected by the provincial government.

"Initially we issued a provincial administration regulation to protect the mangrove conservation center to avoid misuse of the conservation area," he said.

Thus, he asked all members of the local community to continue protecting the area.

If the mangrove conservation center area can be maintained well, there will be an added value, for instance, as a tourist object, he said, adding his office was preparing to implement the so called family tourism concept in the area.