City to preserve mangrove forest

City to preserve mangrove forest

JAKARTA (JP): The remaining 340 hectares of mangrove forest in Jakarta must be preserved for the people's welfare, an official said yesterday.

The assistant to the governor on economics and development, Prawoto S. Danoemihardjo, told a seminar on mangrove forest management that mangrove forest could be developed into tourist attractions.

Integrated efforts must be made by the offices concerned to protect the mangrove forests, he said.

The mangrove forest consists of four important biological elements: land, trees, fauna and the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem, he said. These all play significant role in preventing erosion and sea water intrusion, he said, adding that mangrove forests are also a habitat of sea life.

The head of the forestry office, Soenaryo, listed Jakarta's mangrove forests as the protected Angke Kapuk forest (50.8 hectares), the Kamal Muara forest (101,60 ha), the Muara Angke natural reserve (25 ha), the Bokor Island nature reserve (18 ha), and the Rambut Island nature reserve (45 ha).

The administration is now trying to preserve the forests with funds from the city and state budgets. Cooperation with NGOs, such as the Mangrove Foundation, has also helped in mangrove preservation efforts. (03)