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Bowosie Forest in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara. (ANTARA/HO-BPOLBF) - 

The government has continued to develop Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, as a priority tourism area to attract tourists.

One area here that is currently being developed as an ecotourism destination is the Bowosie Forest.

Bowosie Forest is located at an altitude so besides enjoying nature, tourists visiting the forest can also soak in views of Labuan Bajo from high land.

The Implementing Agency for the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Agency (BPOLBF), together with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, is currently developing a sustainable and integrated tourism area in Labuan Bajo's Bowosie Forest with the aim of creating jobs and improving the economy for the surrounding community.

The integrated tourism area occupies 400 hectares, or about 1.98 percent of the total area of Bowosie forest, which is spread over 20,193 hectares.

The concept of developing ecotourism or nature tourism in the form of natural forests is expected to boost tourist interest.

However, a survey by the BPOLBF team has found the condition of the Bowosie Forest very alarming.

Most parts of the forest have been damaged by irresponsible parties. The trees at many points in the forest have been cut down, and most have been burned. Given the conditions, it is necessary to undertake rejuvenation efforts so that the forest’s beauty can be restored.

"Why would tourists want to come if the trees are cut down and burned?" BPOPLBF president director Shana Fatina remarked.

Some locations in the forest have even been converted into agricultural land with annual plants.

In order to restore the condition of Bowosie Forest, more planting activities than logging must be promoted in the area.

Of course, the destruction of the forest perpetrated by people must be a serious concern for all parties.

For that reason, the BPOLBF, as a representative of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, which will manage the forest as a new tourist destination, has determined that it must immediately coordinate with several parties to map the destruction of the forest.

Law violators

Approximately 135 hectares, or 34 percent of BPOLBF land has been destroyed by irresponsible parties. Most of it lies in the inner forest area, which is not visible from the forest's edge.

The forest encroachment has become a serious concern for the Forest Management Unit (KPH) of the West Manggarai KLHK Office under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).

Illegal logging and burning of the forest have been taking place since 2015. Although many perpetrators have been arrested, there are still those who are continuing to break the law.

According to the Forestry Law No. 41/1999, Article 50, the perpetrators of forest destruction can face five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp5 billion

Currently, there are a number of people living in Nggorang Bowosie Forest, which the BPOLBF will manage. They have even erected private buildings in the area without a permit.

The Forest Management Unit said that the buildings built by the people are illegal.

Police officers have also been roped in for handling the forest encroachment in the soon-to-be natural tourist attraction.

Still, all parties, in West Manggarai and other areas, need to get involved in order to preserve the forest jointly.

Job opportunities

The development of the Bowosie Forest, which will be turned into a natural tourist attraction, is expected to improve the surrounding community's economy and reduce the unemployment rate in Labuan Bajo, Flores, and East Nusa Tenggara, in general.

The BPOLBF has assured that tourism development in Bowosie Forest would absorb 10 thousand workers.

Currently, the BPOLBF, together with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, is preparing to develop four tourism development zones over an area of 400 hectares in Bowosie Forest with the aim of developing a sustainable, quality, and integrated tourism area in Labuan Bajo.

The four zones are the cultural district, adventure district, wildlife district, and leisure district.

This development is based on the mandate of President Joko Widodo through Presidential Regulation Number 32 of 2018, which stipulates that the management be carried out by the Implementing Agency, which was formed in 2019.

The Presidential Regulation regulates the change in status and utilization of the 400 hectares of Bowosie Forest in West Manggarai district: at least 136 hectares of the forest will be managed by the Authority, and the rest will be managed under the Permit for Forest Utilization-Environmental Services Utilization (PBPH-JL) scheme for nature tourism.

According to director of destinations of the BPOLBF, Konstant Mardinandus, the BPOLBF is also conducting an integrated hydrogeological study and environmental impact analysis to ensure that the sustainability of springs in the area is maintained and does not interfere with the supply of water to local residents//ANT