Indonesia: Mangroves can help develop ecotourism -- Minister

Antara 23 Apr 17;

Demak, C Java (ANTARA News) - Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar stated that mangrove planting, aimed at preventing soil erosion, can also serve as a means to develop ecotourism.

"We highly support the development of ecotourism, particularly the planting of mangrove seeds," she said after planting mangrove seeds in Morosari coast in Demak, Central Java, on Saturday.

Besides serving as a tourist site, mangrove forests can also be used to boost production to support the economy, she stated.

Moreover, President Joko Widodo himself has stated that Java has beautiful scenery and that mangrove was a good choice to develop ecotourism, she added.

Demak Deputy District Head Joko Sutanto meanwhile noted that the Demak district government was encouraging local people, particularly those who earn their living as farmers and fishermen, to switch to develop tourism sector.

Among the popular tourist sites in Demak are Morosari coast and Syeh Abdullah Mudzakir grave, he remarked.

"The roads leading to the tourist sites will be planned in such way that visitors can reach them easily," he pointed out.

The district government will also build kiosks to sell the products of micro, small, and medium industries, he revealed. (*)


Most Mangrove Forests in Indonesia in Poor Condition
Tempo 23 Apr 17;

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Environment and Forestry minister Siti Nurbaya said that the condition of most mangroves on the coastal areas in Indonesia is not so good.

"52 percent of mangroves are in bad condition, while only 48 percent of them are in good condition," Sity explained while attending mangrove seed plantin in Bedono village, Sayung district, Demak regency, Central Java on Saturday (22/4).

She revealed that the area of mangroves in Indonesia streches up to 3,49 million heactares spread over 257 regencies/cities. However, each year, hundreds of thousands of hectares of the mangroves are in serious decline.

The damage is caused by numerous factors, among others reclamation, pollution, bad cultivation, and climate change.

"In general, the condition of coastal areas is difficult to maintain, but the government gradually keep trying to improve it," Siti added.

In order to preserve coastal areas, Siti said, there is no other way but to share roles to manage natural landscape from the coast up to the mountain peaks.

ANTARA