Belitung, Bangka Belitung (ANTARA) - Several delegations from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scheduled to survey the condition of the mangrove forest in Belitung District, Bangka Belitung Islands, on Thursday, Deputy District Head of Belitung Isyak Meirobie stated.

The visit is part of the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment's Integrated Area Development (IAD) program field survey, he noted in Tanjung Pandan on Wednesday.

"The total number of delegations is more than eight. We are ready to welcome their visit," he remarked.

According to Meirobie, Belitung became one of the locations for the world Mangrove Research Center development pilot project.

This program is a collaboration between the ministry and the UAE that was proposed recently.

"This visit has a goal of developing the biggest mangrove research center in the world to develop the blue economy and green economy conservation," he explained.

Related news: Environment ministry invites Belitung residents to conserve mangroves

This visit is a valuable opportunity for Belitung to introduce as well as develop the mangrove forest potential in the region, he remarked.

"We are grateful to receive the trust of the central government, in this case, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, that there will be delegations from the UAE that will see the mangrove condition in Belitung," he stated.

Delegations will visit the Seberang Bersatu Community Forest (HKm) that is a mangrove conservation and preservation area in the region.

Moreover, delegations are scheduled to conduct collective mangrove planting activity in the region, he remarked.

Through the visit, Mangrove Park Belitung is expected to become a new tourism icon in the region.

"We expect that delegations, which are facilitated by the ministry, can help us make the mangrove park an eco-tourism destination," he stated.

Belitung still requires help from several parties, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, he remarked.

"This is done, so that the Belitung tourism destination can revive and become a primary destination," he explained.

Related news: Preserving Belitung's mangroves to serve as global tourism area

Related news: Digital mangrove planting becomes strategy for developing blue economy

Translator: Kasmono, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023