Batulicin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Tanah Bumbu District Government fully supports the mangrove-care women's program initiated by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo through the Era of Solidarity Action Organization (OASE).
Regent H. Sudian Noor in Batulicin said the women's program to care for mangroves was a mangrove planting activity carried out simultaneously in nine provinces centered on Pandeglang Beach, Banten.
"Nine provinces that carry out mangrove tree planting simultaneously include North Sumatra, Lampung, West Java, Central Java, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and South Kalimantan," he said.
For the South Kalimantan region, mangrove tree planting is carried out in a green area owned by the Batulicin branch of state-owned seaport operator PT ASDP covering 0.5 hectares.
There were 5,000 mangrove trees have been planted here, of which 3000 trees were planted in the ferry port area of PT ASDP and 2000 trees were planted by mangrove farmer groups in Pulau Burung Village and Pulau Swangi Village, Simpang Empat Sub-district, Tanah Bumbu.
According to the regent, the future planting of mangrove trees is expected to save the mangrove ecosystem to anticipate the disaster of abrasion, sea water intrusion and tsunami.
This program is also expected to be able to encourage the development of coastal natural tourism potential, so that it can drive the economy of the local community.
Based on spatial data from BPDASHL Barito, the mangrove coverage in South Kalimantan ranged from 135.182 ha which was dominant outside the forest area. Some are used by the community for fish cultivation, settlements, industrial estates, ports, and others.
"This needs to be balanced with rehabilitation efforts so that the mangrove ecosystem remains balanced side by side with other terrestrial ecosystems," said the Regent.
In implementing the program the government also cooperated with Kodim 1022 Tanah Bumbu, Police, Environment Agency, BPBD, Forest Agency, BPDASHL Barito, and PT ASDP Batulicin and the community to take care of and preserve the environment.
