STUNAK -- Stunak Island, Selat Gelam District, Karimun Regency is surrounded by a stretch of beautiful and unspoiled mangrove forest. As is known, Mangrove Forests have many benefits to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
Realizing the potential of mangrove forests that have many benefits for the environment and the economy, PT Timah Tbk provides training in mangrove cultivation for the people of Stunak Island, the majority of whom work as fishermen.
This mangrove cultivation training is an effort by the company to provide education to the people of Stunak Island to preserve mangroves.
The potential of mangroves owned by Stunak Island can be developed for interesting mangrove tourism. So that it can have an impact on the surrounding community for mangrove conservation.
The mangrove cultivation training carried out by PT Timah Tbk was enthusiastically welcomed by the surrounding community.
The chief fisherman of Stunak Apid Island said that with this training they received education about mangrove cultivation. The reason is, that so far people often use mangroves.
"The education provided by the company is very good, apart from being given training, we are also educated regarding the benefits of mangroves as a prevention of abrasion," he said.
In addition, they are also invited to maintain the mangrove environment so that it remains natural.
"We don't just cut or exploit, but we also have to be willing to replant, so that the mangrove forest on Stunak Island is maintained," he said.
Furthermore, he conveyed that from mangrove cultivation, fishermen will also get economic value for their families.
"If these mangrove seedlings are available properly, if PT Timah Tbk or the general public who need seeds for planting, the seeds will be available," he said.
Currently, the government is intensively inviting the community to plant mangroves to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
In addition, mangroves also have many benefits for sustainable living, such as preventing abrasion. Mangroves also protect marine life such as fish, crabs, shrimp, and shellfish to breed properly.
Mangrove fruit can also be processed into drinks and snacks, which of course can be a business opportunity for local MSMEs to earn additional income.
