Abstract:
Pagatan Besar Mangrove Forest can be utilized as an ecotourism area within the framework of Integrated
Tourism Rural Areas in Tanah Laut Regency, Indonesia. This mangrove forest has not yet been fully
revealed or has not been published properly and correctly, even though this is a basic requirement if this
object will be an ecotourism area. This paper is a survey report containing the results of the identification of
the potential and problems of the Pagatan Besar Mangrove Forest and the program and activity solutions that
need to be carried out to exploit the potential and overcome the problem. Potential that can be utilized is the
establishment of forests, the availability of infrastructure and facilities, the diversity of plants and animals, as
well as the socio-economic and cultural benefits. The problems identified were unclear ownership or control
of the additional land (lahan oloran), the people's ignorance of cleanliness and environmental health
(household waste, livestock manure, especially cattle grazed in ecotourism areas), lack of knowledge and
technology, especially young people to use mangrove forests and their potential as employment
opportunities, as well as lack of awareness of tourists to environmental cleanliness, environmental beauty,
and environmental risks (tides, animal bites). The solution to the problem that can be done is to study the
strategies of other regions to deal with conflict in the additional land and develop new initiatives to overcome
in accordance with the natural and cultural conditions of the local community, build self-awareness and
always increase awareness of the local community for cleanliness and environmental health, open up youth
insights to follow education and self-development and skills training, always remind tourists on environmental
hygiene and health and personal safety, as well as encourage local governments to establish local
regulations related to the use of plastic-based tools or equipment.
