Mandalika has the potential to become an ecotourism and water sports destination that we must preserveMataram, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Southeast Asian start-up company Traveloka has collaborated with Sahabat Pulau Indonesia to plant 10 thousand mangrove seedlings to support ecotourism sustainability in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK), Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
"Mandalika has the potential to become an ecotourism and water sports destination that we must preserve," Traveloka co-founder Albert Zhang noted in a press release on Thursday.
Traveloka showed concern in the mangrove planting program by partaking in the endeavor to preserve the environment in Mandalika, especially in Batu Berang Beach in Mertak Village, according to Zhang.
The mangrove planting program supports the government's sustainable development goals (SDG) number 14 on marine and coastal management sustainability.
Sahabat Pulau Indonesia also extended assistance to the program to recover and protect mangrove forests in Indonesia. The country has the largest mangrove forests in the world, with a total area of 3.2 million hectares, or 22.4 percent of the world's total mangrove area.
"We also support economic development in the surrounding area of KEK Mandalika with this mangrove planting initiative," Zhang affirmed.
Acting Director from Sahabat Pulau Indonesia Noor Adrishya Aishvari stated that her organization had focused on addressing the challenges of education and community empowerment in Indonesia's coastal areas by utilizing technology and teaching methods that have adapted to the new normal protocol.
In addition, the mangrove planting program with Traveloka was designed to serve as an environmental education program. Eco-warriors, such as volunteers, fostered children, and the public, were expected to become the agents of change for the environment.
"We also helped to disseminate information on the importance of preserving mangroves and the benefits for the community through a series of web seminars," Aishvari expounded.
West Nusa Tenggara Governor H. Zulkieflimansyah lauded the efforts of Traveloka and Sahabat Pulau Indonesia to preserve the environment in the coastal area of Batu Berang Beach, Mertak Village.
Zulkieflimansyah noted that the mangrove area played an important role in reducing the likelihood of tsunamis and proffered benefits to the local fishermen to cultivate fish, shrimp, and crab.
The mangrove planting measure is expected to recover and improve the beach ecosystem in the long run.
The governor is optimistic that it would support the productivity of tourism activities in the area.
"Moreover, this planting activity could support Lombok to host MotoGP and other international events in the future," Zulkieflimansyah noted.
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Translator: Awaludin, Resinta Sulistiyanda
Editor: Sri Haryati
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