0 Mangrove forests in Buleleng shrink

About 25 percent of the 425.3 hectares of mangrove forests in Buleleng regency has disappeared due to land reclamation for development along the coastline and the establishment of fishponds. “Twenty-five percent of the mangrove forests in Buleleng have been converted for other purposes,” head of Buleleng’s Environment Agency Rai Sudiarsa said. Buleleng’s mangrove forests are located in the west of Bali National Park in Gerokgak district, which includes Menjangan island, Terima Bay, Banyu Wedang Bay, Pejarakan, Gilimanuk and the Bukti village in Kubutambahan district.

A member of the Buleleng Legislative Council, Mangku Budiasa, blamed the National Land Agency (BPN) for leasing sections of the forest by handing out land certificates to the public. “Around 20 hectares of mangroves in Pejarakan village have been chopped down by residents. The BPN must be held responsible for this violation,” said Mangku on the sidelines of a mangrove-planting program at Pejarakan village in Gerokgak on Friday. Buleleng Deputy Regent Nyoman Sutjindra said the administration and the Buleleng Legislative Council were currently discussing the creation of a bylaw to protection the mangroves in the regency.

source : bali daily