RRI.CO.ID, Samarinda - The East Kalimantan Provincial Tourism Agency is actively promoting nature-based tourism destinations rooted in mangrove conservation to attract both domestic and international travelers. Local authorities emphasize that sustainable ecological management can successfully harmonize environmental protection with regional economic growth.

A prime example of this strategy is the Bontang Mangrove Park (BMP), a destination managed under the jurisdiction of the Kutai National Park. The site seamlessly integrates three core tourism concepts: conservation, education, and open-air adventure.

"The development of ecotourism such as Bontang Mangrove Park proves that nature conservation and environmental education can be a leading attraction that has a positive impact on the local economy," Head of the East Kalimantan Tourism Office, Ririn Sari Dewi, said in Samarinda on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

At Bontang Mangrove Park, visitors can immerse themselves in a lush, 279-hectare mangrove ecosystem by traversing a 2.15-kilometer wooden boardwalk made of ironwood that cuts directly through the dense canopy.

Beyond offering a refreshing, cool green canopy trail, the tourism zone functions as an outdoor classroom. Here, visitors can learn about various unique coastal vegetation species, such as Rhizophora sp and Avicennia sp.

Tourism officials noted that lucky travelers can also spot local wildlife inhabiting the forest, which is a source of pride for the Bontang community, ranging from endemic proboscis monkeys and long-tailed macaques to lesser adjutant storks.

From an ecological standpoint, the dense root networks of the mangrove trees at the site serve as a highly effective natural shield, protecting the coastal mainland against shoreline abrasion and heavy sea waves. The success of these local preservation efforts is clearly backed by environmental data, which shows that the mangrove land cover at BMP has expanded significantly over the years, growing from 84.67 hectares in 2002 to its current 279 hectares.

Due to its strategic and easily accessible location from the center of Bontang City, alongside its highly affordable entry ticket prices, the ecological park consistently draws tens of thousands of tourists annually.

The management model of the park, built on robust mutual cooperation (gotong royong) linking the government, private sector, and local communities, has earned prestigious recognition. Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) officially commended the park as a national benchmark for sustainable ecotourism.

Following this success, the agency aims to replicate this collaborative framework across other regencies and cities throughout East Kalimantan, ensuring the province's rich natural resources remain well-preserved while actively advancing the welfare of its citizens. ***