Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) reforesting its mangrove wetland laboratory in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, through a partnership program with the local community.
"So, local people do the nurseries, then we buy the plant to be planted at where damage to mangrove occur," said ULM Deputy Rector III for Student and Alumni Affairs Muhamad Rusmin Nuryadin in Kotabaru, Sunday.
The target of greening is Teluk Tamiang Village in Pulau Laut Tanjung Selayar Sub-district.
Rusmin led the planting using main species of mangrove and rambai by involving units under his division.
Lecturers, staff, students of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) internship program and also local people were involved in the planting of around one thousand seedlings.
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Building partnership with community, Rusmin said, is the key to success in caring for approximately 611 hectares mangrove land managed by ULM in Kotabaru.
"Local community must be at the forefront in maintaining it, because they make their living around this land all the time," he explained.
Rusmin entrusted the preservation of mangrove land in Teluk Tamiang to the village head Hendra to continue promoting reforestation with his community.
"We are making this mangrove ecosystem a world wetland laboratory which can be a research center for academics, educational tourism, and sustainable community use," he pointed out.
The Village Head Hendra welcomed enthusiastically the program launched by ULM, so that the local community support it.
"So far, Teluk Tamiang is known for its beach tourism. In the future, we hope it increases with mangrove tourism which certainly attract even more tourists," he said.
The mangrove land in a production forest covering an area of 611 hectares in Kotabaru has received A Commitment Approval Letter for Forest Utilization Business Licensing (PBPH) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to be managed by ULM beginning this year.
There are six villages in the ULM's mangrove land, they are Kemuning, Tanjung Pelayar, Tanjung Sungkai, Tanjung Tengah, Teluk Tamiang, and Kampung Baru.
ULM is the only university in the world that owns and manages mangrove land, so it is in line with ULM's target to be the center of excellence for wetland in Asia-Pacific by the end of 2027.
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