Mangrove Forest in Tongke-Tongke Village, Sinjai – Important
Sinjai (ANTARA) – The Tongke-Tongke mangrove forest, located in the Tongke-Tongke Village, East Sinjai District, Sinjai Regency, is the leading mangrove tourism park in South Sulawesi (Sulsel). “Tongke-Tongke is a restoration and learning center for mangroves, covering an area of 173.5 hectares, making it the largest and densest mangrove forest in Indonesia,” said Dewi Angraini, Head of Tourism Marketing Development at Sinjai Regency, commenting on the tourism potential in her area in Sinjai on Friday.
The local community has been developing the mangrove forest for more than 20 years, with mangrove trees reaching a height of about 5 meters and a density of 0.5 x 0.5 meters, making it a suitable habitat for flora and fauna in the coastal area. The three types of mangroves cultivated by the local community are Ryzhopora mucnorata sp, Avicenia sp., and Nipa fructicans.
According to Angraini, the main attraction of mangrove tourism in Sinjai is not only the opportunity to enjoy the cool mangrove area but also the variety of facilities available, such as a permanent mangrove track measuring 250 meters for observing flora and fauna in the location. Other facilities include shelters, an information booth, and a floating café. “The management also provides gazebos, small mosques, kiosks, and a playground. There are also fishing areas, breeding areas, and boat rentals,” she added.
In the information booth, visitors can see a map of the mangrove area, explore the potential flora and fauna, and there is even a photo booth for selfies. The Tongke-Tongke mangrove area is home to a diverse range of fauna, including various insects, tree snakes, bats, pelicans, herons, as well as marine life such as fish, crabs, clams, and shrimp.
To reach this location, visitors can travel along a hotmix road for about five kilometers from Sinjai City. Here, they can also enjoy the picturesque view of a typical fishing village, with various types of fishing boats lining the local port.
The stunning beauty and rich biodiversity offered by the Tongke-Tongke mangrove forest continue to attract both domestic and international visitors, contributing to the promotion of sustainable tourism in the region.
Source: ANTARA antaranews.com (https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3840114/tongke-tongke-taman-wisata-mangrove-andalan-sulsel)
