REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- The Melemba forest area of Batang Lupar in Kapuas Hulu district, West Kalimantan, will be developed into a community-based ecotourism destination in a bid to promote tourism in the area.

WWF-Indonesia Manager for West Kalimantan development program Albertus Tjiu stated here on Monday that numerous parties including the Kapuas Hulu culture and tourism department, Sentarum Lake National Park (TNDS), Forest Management Unit, and Melemba village administration will be involved in the community-based ecotourism development program.

According to Tjiu, the parties have signed an agreement to play their role in supporting the development of ecotourism in Melemba.

Albertus noted that the WWF-Indonesia will continue to encourage the certification for environmental services based on ecotourism development for sustainable forest management.

"In the sphere of conservation of the island, which is connected with the existence of the Heart of Borneo (HoB), this collaborative effort can support the implementation of the community-based ecotourism program at the district level," he remarked.

He added that the agreement can offer greater benefits and provide an overview of how the management of ecotourism can be carried out jointly and responsibly by the communities living around the forest.

In the meantime, Kapuas Hulu Culture and Tourism Department spokesman Antonius stated that the road map document on the development of ecotourism in the district was completed in 2014.

Antonius pointed out that the management of ecotourism will be carried out by the Melemba village communities who are encouraged through the Village-owned Enterprises (BUMDes).

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