Economic Valuation And Analysis Of Mangrove Forest Conservation Strategy In The Kubu Raya Regency, Province Of West Kalimantan

Abstract

Mangrove is a forest type that grown on tidal areas and has a tolerance to certain value of salinity. As an ecosystem, mangrove plays important roles and functions as a life support system. It is often the benefits and functions of a mangrove ecosystem, are not easily recognizable and measurable so mostly neglected in a regional development planning of an area as is the case in the regency of Kubu Raya. The research is aimed at the identification of mangrove ecosystem benefits, total economic value of a mangrove ecosystem and analysis of mangrove conservation strategy in Kubu Raya Regency. The benefits identified consist of direct benefits (such as commercial wood, fire woods, poles, charcoal, aquatic biota, the use of palm leaves and mangrove seedlings) and indirect benefits (such as prevention of abrasion, storing carbon, producing oxygen, seawater intrusion barrier and producing nutrients), optional and existence benefits. It is also identified that the total economic value of mangroves in Kubu Raya Regency is Rp. 400,018,397,288,- per year. The value is the higest among others and it indicated that the peoples of Kubu Raya District significantly respected to existence of mangrove present and in the future. Production forest managed by private sector (IUPHHK) are more efficient and higher economic values than other (in the protection forest and other land use areas). It indicates that the protection forest and other land use areas not managed optimally yet. In order to enhance the benefit values of mangrove in Kubu Raya District, it needs the following strategies: diversification in the uses of protection forest (land utilization, environmental services, and non wood forest products), increase the efficiency of forest management/utilization by local community, application of profer mangrove silviculture, and implementation of criteria and indicator of sustainable mangrove management.