Shoreline Sustainability
Indonesia is well-known for its tropical forests. Among these are the mangroves of the coasts, a unique type of tropical forest that is located along the shorelines and estuaries and is rich in biodiversity. From the 15.9 million square hectares of the world's mangrove forests, about 3.7 million hectares (24%) are in Indonesia. That makes Indonesia the most important place for mangrove preservation in the world.
Mangroves generally function to protect the shoreline from harsh waves, wind, erosion, and saltwater intrusion. Biologically, marine biota benefits from the mangroves as the producer of detritus for plankton, as well as for nursery grounds, feeding grounds, and spawning grounds for many kinds of fish, shrimp and other sea biota. It also serves as the habitat for many kinds of wild animals, such as birds and reptiles. Scientific research even reveals that mangroves can prevent malaria because they can improve water quality, absorb CO2 (carbon dioxide) and produce O2 (oxygen) in much higher quantities than other types of vegetation.
In Bali, the Taman Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai is an important mangrove habitat. Located strategically alongside the Ngurah Rai Bypass in Denpasar, in the vicinity of Benoa Harbor and the Ngurah Rai Airport, this area of 1,375.5 hectares is certainly important in absorbing air and water pollution from urban Denpasar. It is also important as a shelter for wildlife, as it harbors a diverse 89 different bird species. One of them being the highly endangered white egrets that are protected by law, known locally as Cekakak or Kokokan (Halycon Chloris and Halycon Sancta). Also grown here are at least 29 species of mangrove with the dominant species of Rhizophora sp., Mucronata sp., Rhizophora apiculata, and Sonneratia alba.
Unfortunately, just like in other places, human activities have spoiled the beautiful image of a pristine mangrove forest in Tahura (abbreviate of 'Taman Hutan Raya') Ngurah Rai. Garbage lies everywhere, probably left over from ignorant visitors. Reports say that every day about 25 square meters of garbage enters the area, inhibiting the growth of mangrove vegetation, especially the slowly degrading materials like plastics and Styrofoam. Traces of visitors' vandalism can also be seen as graffiti covers most of the information boards and signposts.
Still, credit should be given to the management of the Mangrove Center in Tahura Ngurah Rai. Because of them we can see the running lizards, smell the salty scent of seaweed, and enjoy the lush greenery with storks and singing birds, right before our eyes. This can happen because of the mangrove trail they built for admiring (and responsible) visitors. It is a long wooden bridge (about 1.4 km) built upon the marsh in-between the mangrove vegetation. To provide information for visitors, the Mangrove Center has installed many information boards and signposts about the Tahura, with maps and scientific facts about mangrove ecosystems.
Established in 2001, the Mangrove Center is a joint cooperation between the Ministry of Forestry and JICA (Japan International Cooperative Agency). The development of a mangrove center that combines information dissemination and research and ecotourism seemed to be a good idea to preserve such a fragile environment like a mangrove forest. Based on analytical comparison of the Landsat image in 1994 and 2003, the mangrove area in Denpasar, the Badung regency, has grown about 200 hectares.
Therefore, the present effort should be focused on revitalizing the Mangrove Center. Ecotourism can be strengthened by putting the mangrove trail on the tourism map. Besides that, visitors' (and the local public) awareness should be raised for cleanliness and order. Visitors can also be involved in preservation efforts such as in nursery and re-plantation schemes. ■ Text and photos by Inggit Angela
Mangrove Trail, Taman Hutan Raya Ngurah Rai
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai Km. 21, Denpasar
micjica@indosat.net.id
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