Lesson Learned from Belitung Mangrove Park: Converting InactiveTin Mining Area to Mangrove Tourism Park to Support Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Carbon Sequestration

Unconventional tin mining is devouring coastal forest and mangrove in Belitung Island. Thus, carbon emission from deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increasing vulnerability of coastal communities are inevitable. TERANGI together with ICCTF initiated Belitung Mangrove Park (BMP) to convert inactive tin mining in Seberang Bersatu Community Forest, Belitung, into a mangrove tourism park. Local community were trained in ecotourism management, mangrove rehabilitation, ecosystem monitoring, tour guiding, promotion, and financial management. The total carbon stock in Juru Sebrang Community Forest equalled to 4,704.159 tonnes with unequal distribution. Mangrove rehabilitation was conducted over a 1.5 ha with current carbon stock of 3 tonnes. In order to support low-carbon ecotourism activities, two solar power electric generator were installed and able to reduce emissions of 872 kg CO₂/year. The local community was able to develop, promote, and manage ecotourism activities independently, and increased their group assets, from IDR 698,014,118 to IDR 18,655,700,000 just within 18 months. Tourist visits increased from around 3,000 visits/month to 14,000 visits/month. The programme also involved stakeholders from programme development, area management plan, and research and monitoring, thus increasing the participation and supports from both the local and national stakeholders. The programme success and lesson-learned could also be replicated in other areas.