Training on Strengthening Ecotourism Group Capacity in Mentawir

The Blue Forests – ELTI program will be hosting a Training on Strengthening Ecotourism Group Capacity in Mentawir in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Mentawir boasts 1,118 hectares of mangrove forests, comprising 1,109 hectares within officially-designated forest areas and 9 hectares outside of official forest areas (non-forest area/Area Penggunaan Lain). The mangroves within the forested areas are part of a management concession, the Inhutani I Batu Ampar concession. The presence of mangroves in Mentawir Village holds significant ecological and economic importance. These mangroves serve as crucial habitat for various key species, including Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), white-browed langurs (Presbytis frontata), red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda), estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), and other wildlife. Economically, the mangrove ecosystem supports local communities through activities such as fisheries, ecotourism, and the collection of non-timber forest products.

The Blue Forests – ELTI program, in partnership with Mentawir village authorities, intends to organize a training session aimed at enhancing the capacities of the ecotourism group in managing mangrove ecotourism in Mentawir. The rich biodiversity present in Mentawir Village holds significant potential for sustainable ecotourism development, thereby allowing communities to gain the benefits of the forests. The aspiration is that the sustainable utilization of ecotourism resources will contribute to the conservation of the mangrove area in Mentawir village. The opportunities and threats related to the mangroves are expected to grow over time as Mentawir becomes increasingly integrated into the new capital city.