IO, Jakarta – Mangrove Ecomarine is like an oasis in the surrounding area in the fishing village of Muara Angke, North Jakarta. The seedy impression attached to the fishing village suddenly disappears when you set foot in the mangrove forest. Mangrove forests Ecomarine located in one corner of a fishing village in Muara Angke is located not far from the Port Kaliadem. It takes 10-15 minutes walk if you want to achieve from the Port Kaliadem mangrove forest. There are about 27,000 mangrove trees that are planted there. No wonder the atmosphere feels shady and filled with lush forests immediately, as you drive over the road made of bamboo sticks.
“Initially, this location was filled with garbage dredging and debris from the sea to become land,” said Chairman of the Community Mangrove Muara Angke Risnandar.
In 2008, Risnandar and his friends were members of the Mangrove Muara Angke Community initiative to ‘juggle’ land full of garbage to be mangrove forests. Risnandar said, every day the area was visited by dozens of visitors usually students as well as foreign researchers who made several observations in this region. In addition to the mangrove forests, visitors can also enjoy the seaside atmosphere of Jakarta.
“If the evening in here the landscape is nice, you know, sunset plasticity clear if the weather is sunny, “said Risnandar.
The region also has an aquaculture and garden with reading area. Risnandar said the region is designed as a place of educational tours. The visitors of mangrove forests can visit the region of 1.5 hectares for free. Risnandar only advised that visitors should try to preserve the mangrove trees because by having the mangrove forest it can be a new natural attraction for Jakarta where the mangrove tree is the most important aspect that can protect the city from sea erosion.
“All free, free. Even students free of charge, as long as it is not damaging, to keep each other equally. Please just as long as it is for the benefit of society,” he said.
Risnandar also hopes the Government can make the area as one of tourist destinations in North Jakarta. He explained Ecomarine mangrove forests are still managed by the community with the financial support of the company’s CSR.
“The government can work hand in hand with us, as both of us conserve mangroves in this Ecomarine to become a tourist spot, thus, there will means of having a public beach in North Jakarta,” he said.
Ten years in construction, Ecomarine Mangrove Forest has grown far beyond the expectations of the initiator. The region is no longer just a mangrove forest that serves to resist abrasion. In addition to being an alternative tourist destination, Ecomarine mangrove forests also provide economic impact for local residents. The wives of fishermen are involved in processing the mangrove fruits grown there.
“The Processed fruits from mangrove there are dodol, jams, and syrups. Thank God for this mangrove fruit, the processed products are good, the permission from PIRT (Food Industry Household) is also out and it is halal,” said Risnandar.
The kids fishing can also access the home education provided Risnandar and friends. “I originally didn’t dream we would have home education, have this much mangrove tree, I didn’t dream at all,” said Risnandar. Muara Angke Mangrove Community now, also has bigger aspirations.
Communities that are nearly ten year old are determined to see eminent mangrove trees along the coast of Jakarta. “The target of Our vision and mission of the Mangrove Community, we would like to have mangroves from Muara Angke to Marunda, along the shorelines of Jakarta,” said Risnandar. (Aldo)