REGIONS INCREASINGLY ATTRACTED TO DEVELOP MANGROVES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, April 15 (Antara) - Mangroves trees are increasingly attracting people given their important functions in providing sanctuary to marine ecosystem, holding sediments, and serving as habitats for a variety of fishes, crabs, shrimps, and mollusk species.          Moreover, mangroves offer increased economic benefits given the diversity of lives inhabiting them and their proximity to other tourist attractions such as coral reefs and sandy beaches.           Now many regions across the country have started to intensively preserve mangroves trees while trying to tap its commercial benefits, such as developing tourism and harvesting their fruits to produce different kinds of cakes that could earn economic benefits.          Hence, many regions across the country, such as North Penajam Paser District of East Kalimantan and other provinces such as West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, Southeast Sulawesi, and East Java, are developing mangrove trees and preserving them.          In order to promote the development of mangrove forests, North Penjam Pasar District of East Kalimantan holds a four-day mangrove festival from April 13 to 16, 2017.