Papua Provincial Government Boosts Ecotourism, Maintains Forest While Boosting Residents' Economy

Bakau forest tracing is one of the ecotourism in Jayapura City, Papua. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAYAPURA The Papua Provincial Government continues to encourage the development of ecotourism as one of the pillars of the green economy. This step is expected to be able to preserve the forest as well as open up business opportunities for indigenous peoples living around it.

Acting Head of the Papua Forestry and Environment Agency, Korya Ap, said that forests in Papua play a vital role as a source of life for their citizens.

According to him, the use of forests is now not only focused on wood production, but also on environmental services and the products of non-layu forests.

"The forest of Papua is a mother to Papuans, that's where people get life and livelihoods," he said in Jayapura, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, September 27.

According to my son, therefore ecotourism is the right model to provide benefits without being destructive.

"Now a number of areas in Papua have been developed in stages with the concept of ecotourism, among others, Hobong Village in Jayapura Regency which offers trekking tourism based on Lake Sentani, Yoboy Village with sago education tourism, to Yokiwa which provides trekking routes to enjoy natural panoramas and local culture," he said.

He explained, besides that, in Kali Biru Genyem, the community manages natural tourist routes and flying ox rides, while in Biak a floating bridge is developed in the tourist area of the Fairy Country.

All of them are managed by the community with technical assistance from the Papua Forestry Service.

"With visitors, people can sell local food, crafts, and non-wood forest products so that the economy rotates without having to cut wood," he said.

He added that apart from tourism, the community was also encouraged to manage non-wood forest products such as honey and eucalyptus oil that had been running in Jayapura and Biak.

"This program is Papua's contribution in building a national green economy. If we protect nature, then nature will give life," he concluded.