Singkawang City Government Ensures Revitalization Of Mount Poteng Tourism In Accordance With Conservation Rules

The Singkawang City Government coordination meeting with the West Kalimantan BKSDA (ANTARA/Ho-Humas Singkawang City Government)

JAKARTA - The Singkawang City Government, West Kalimantan, emphasized that the revitalization of Mount Poteng Tourism Objects will be carried out while still complying with the applicable nature reserve conservation rules.

The Acting Mayor of Singkawang, Sumastro, stated that his party had coordinated with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to design a development concept in the area. He emphasized that the implementation of revitalization would not violate the provisions of the management of the designated nature reserve.

Sumastro also asked the relevant agencies to cooperate with the West Kalimantan BKSDA in forming a working team tasked with drafting development plans. This plan will include managing the buffer zone by involving the surrounding community.

In addition, education to village and sub-district officials will be carried out to ensure that all parties understand the importance of maintaining conservation areas. He also proposed a field visit or site visit as a step to ensure integrated development runs.

In his statement, Sumastro emphasized that this revitalization was part of the Singkawang City Government's serious efforts to develop ecotourism in the Passi Gunung Poteng Conservation area.

Ecotourism-based management, according to him, will increase tourist attraction in Singkawang as well as improve the quality of the management of the area. He also added that this plan has received full support from the local community and a positive response from the Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA.

The head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, Wiwied Widodo, highlighted the importance of applying the principles of ecotourism in the development of this region. He explained that ecotourism not only offers recreation experiences to enjoy natural beauty, but also plays a role in preserving ecological and environmental functions in a sustainable manner.

In its management, Wiwied said that ecotourism must prioritize an educational approach, involve local communities, and ensure the sustainability of environmental benefits.

Wiwied added that the development of ecotourism can be carried out in the buffer zone, namely the transition area between conservation areas and community activities. However, he stressed that the management of this zone must continue to follow certain regulations.

The buffer zone has important functions, including as a protection area, education, natural tourism, and economic development of the surrounding community.

In the previous coordination meeting, Sumastro stated that the Singkawang City Government would review all aspects of resource management, including the use of water from the Gunung Poteng area.

He ensured that water extraction from this nature reserve would be limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the available water discharge, to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem in the area.

This revitalization plan is not only aimed at increasing Singkawang's tourist attraction, but also as an effort to make Gunung Poteng a professional managed ecotourism destination.

The Singkawang City Government hopes that these steps can provide long-term benefits for the environment as well as improve the welfare of the surrounding community.