Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) involves local community in sustainable mangrove conservation efforts in Kotabaru District, South Kalimantan, through partnership program.
"By involving local community, mangrove conservation can carry out more effectively," said Dean of ULM's Faculty of Forestry Professor Kissinger in Banjarbaru, Thursday.
He said, local community participation is very important in mangrove conservation.
They can involve in various activities, such as mangrove seedlings planting, monitoring illegal activities, and education about the importance of mangrove.
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They can also participate in mangrove management decision making through deliberation and partnership with government and companies.
Kissinger expounded that community involvement is part of effective strategy for mangrove conservation. In addition, government policies that support mangrove conservation are also very necessary.
ULM's 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 2024.
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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