Marabahan, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) teaches the fishermen how to restore and preserve rambai mangrove (Sonneratia caseolaris).
The proboscis mongkey lovers organization giving the education in the Green Ramadhan On The River event as a thanksgiving for the establishment of Bekantan Research Station and Wetland Ecosystem in Curiak Island Area, Barito Kuala District, Sunday (3/6).
Dozens of Barito river fishermen, who used to fish around the area, took part in the event.
"Green Ramadhan On The River besides Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia's gratitude also to build fishermen for the environment, especially around Barito river," said Amalia Rezeki, Chairman of SBI Foundation.
The fishermen then formed the Conservation Care Fishermen (NPL) group at the moment with the purpose to safeguard and preserve mangrove forests around them, especially the rambai forest where they used to fish.
Amalia Rezeki said the damage to mangrove forests, especially rambai trees, often occurs along the Barito river and has an impact on fishing communities, due to the declining availability of their catch fish.
"Mangrove forest is home to a variety of animals, including fish, shrimp and crabs, and the root of the tree gives the ingredients and spawns the fish and invertebrates that live around it", Amalia Rezeki pointed out. She is also known as a lecturer of the Lambung Mangkurat University's biology education program.
While rambai tree is very important for the existence of bekantan, its stand is the habitat of bekantan which is the mascot of South Kalimantan, while the shoot leaf is the main source of their feed.
