Mangrove Ecosystem Development on North Coast of Java

Abstract

The condition of northern coast of Java is in a high risk due to human activities (fishing, agriculture, industry, settlement, tourism, and transportation). Mangrove ecosystem has an ability to protect the coastal area and it can be used also as a mangrove-based tourism area. The development of ecotourism must be able to truly keep up its principles in maintaining environmental sustainability, providing benefits to community and containing education for the visitors and maintaining local wisdom. However, the development of ecotourism itself still encounters various obstacles in its implementation. The objectives of this study are to analyze the condition and management between 5 different mangrove-based tourism ecotourism locations namely Jembatan Pelangi (Banten), Karangsong and Sumber Mas (Indramayu), Pandansari (Brebes) and Tunggulsari (Pati). Descriptive analysis was conducted based on in-depth interviews with managers, communities and local governments. Several recommendations as a result of this study given to improve some infrastructure and waste management to be more environmentally friendly, a working group supported by local governments should be taken into account for facilitating coordination both local governments and central government so that the ecotourism area can be properly promoted.