We have coordinated with experts to implement the presidential regulation with the application of the sustainable development principle to maintain environmental sustainability to offer benefits to local residents.
Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggar (ANTARA) - The Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority Board (BPOLBF) will develop four tourism development zones on 400 hectares of the Labuan Bajo Bowosie Forest, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara.

"We and the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry are mandated to develop the 400 hectares of area that will be divided into four zones as a quality tourism destination integrated with the Komodo National Park, the Labuan Bajo City tourism area, as well as other tourism destinations to improve the welfare of the community," President Director of BPOLBF Shana Fatina stated here on Monday.

Indonesian Presidential Regulation Number 32 of 2018 has regulated the change in status and utilization of 400 hectares of the Bowosie Forest.

Several areas have been granted principle permit and development dispensation for transforming the forest area to become 135.22 hectares of other utilization areas (APL) managed by BPOLBF.

The other 264 hectares is still in the issuance process of Permitting Business Utilization of Forests for the Environmental Services Utilization (PBPH-JL).

Meanwhile, the four tourism development zones comprise cultural, leisure, wildlife, and adventure.

Various attractions and destination facilities to be established on 114.73 hectares of cultural zones comprise the cultural center; tourism research center; hotels; 360o Bajo gallery; micro, small, and medium enterprises villages; as well as other tourism supporting attractions.

Furthermore, 6.79 hectares out of the 63.59 hectares of the leisure zone will be utilized for the special resort, chapel, prayer hill, and forest hiking areas development program.

In addition, a restaurant, mini zoo, outdoor theater, and nature observation hall will be built over 10.2 hectares out of the 89.25-hectare area in the wildlife zone.

Meanwhile, hotels, glamping inns, cave tourism area, cable car transportation facilities, public green spaces, and cross-forest bicycle paths will be constructed in the 10.2 hectares of the 132.43 hectares area of the adventure zone.

Fatina noted that development of the tourism area in the production forest area aligns with the principle of environmental sustainability since the basic coefficient of the buildings and built-up areas set in the development plan are very low in each zone -- 10 percent for the PBPH-JL area and 17 percent for the APL area -- to continue to support the ecological function of the forest.

“In developing the tourism area, we conducted an integrated hydrogeological study and environmental impact analysis to ensure the sustainability of the 10 existing water springs, so that the development will not hinder water supply for the local community,” she stated.

“We have coordinated with experts to implement the presidential regulation with the application of the sustainable development principle to maintain environmental sustainability to offer benefits to local residents," she noted.

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Translator: Fransiska Nuka, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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