Revitalization Of Mount Poteng Singkawang Tourism Obeys Nature Reserve Rules

Visitors enjoy the view from the top of the Bukit Batu Langara tour in Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Singkawang City Government, West Kalimantan, said that the revitalization of Mount Poteng Tourism Objects will continue to pay attention and comply with the applicable nature reserve conservation management regulations.

"The Singkawang city government coordinates with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in obtaining an overview of the concept of development in the field and in its implementation it will not violate the provisions for the management of the valid nature reserve," said Singkawang Mayor, Sumastro, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, January 12.

Sumastro asked related agencies to also synergize with the West Kalimantan BKSDA by forming a work team, then formulating a development work plan in buffer areas accompanied by regulations, including the community by continuing to provide education at the sub-district and village heads, as well as carrying out joint "visit sites" to ensure integrated development.

"I reiterate, from the results of our meeting a few days ago we should have agreed on our initial work papers. Hopefully, our seriousness together to revitalize this tourist attraction can run according to what has been agreed upon," he said.

He also said that his party was serious about developing the management of ecotourism in the Passi Gunung Poteng Singkawang Highway area with the concept of ecotourism.

"This aims to ensure that the addition of tourist destinations and Mount Poteng Tourism Objects is managed more and better," he said.

To make this happen, his party has coordinated with the Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA.

"Thank God, this development plan, apart from being supported by the local community, also received an enthusiastic response from the Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA," he said.

Separately, the Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA Wiwied Widodo said the development of this potential must adhere to the principles of Ecotourism management, including not disturbing the nature reserve area, based on education, community-based or involving local communities, and oriented towards sustainability of benefits.

"Ecotourism is not just recreation to enjoy the beauty of nature, but also a real effort to preserve ecological and environmental functions in a sustainable manner," he said.

He emphasized that ecotourism can be developed in buffer areas from a nature reserve area. Namely the area that is the transition zone between conservation areas and community activities.

"However, the development is not arbitrary and there are signs that must be considered and their functions are also a zone for protection, a zone for natural tourism, education zones and economic zones," he said.

In the coordination meeting a few days ago, he continued, there were several things that became a recommendation for the West Kalimantan BKSDA to follow up on this ecotourism development plan, namely first, the determination of buffer areas by the Singkawang City Government and the integrated team (villages/kelurahan, sub-districts, local communities, agencies/institutions related).

Second, the preparation and ratification of the buffer zone management plan

Third, the preparation of a water management and utilization plan.

"The Singkawang City Government must review all water utilization originating from the Gunung Poteng Nature Reserve with a commitment to regulate the use of water as much as 20 percent of the minimum 50 percent of the water discharge," he said.