MANGROVE FOREST MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN BEDUL, BANYUWANGI: COLLABORATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND ALAS PURWO NATIONAL PARK FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) identify the condition of the Bedul Banyuwangi mangrove forest area for sustainable ecotourism; (2) evaluate the fitness of the Bedul Banyuwangi mangrove forest for sustainable ecotourism; (3) evaluate collaboration between the community and the management of Alas Purwo National Park in conserving Bedul mangrove forest areas; and (4) design a management strategy for the Bedul mangrove forest for developing sustainable ecotourism. This research is a descriptive analytic study with a survey technique constructed using a remote sensing approach and a Geographic Information System (GIS). Landsat and Quickbird satellite imagery are used to identify temporal changes in mangrove forests and temperature over the last decade. Quickbird remote sensing data are used to evaluate the current land use associated with community activities in mangrove areas and government policies related to the presence of mangrove forests. The results showed that: 1) the condition of the Bedul Banyuwangi mangrove area from 1995-2022 was in a stable state. ; 2) the fitness of the Bedul Banyuwangi mangrove forest for sustainable ecotourism is included in the S2 category or following with the Bedul mangrove ecotourism fitness index; 3) the collaborative management of the Bedul mangrove ecotourism between the community (fishing community, local government) and the management of Alas Purwo National Park is continuing good to maintain the condition of the mangroves and provide economic benefits to the community in a sustainable manner; 4) the management strategy implemented is to maintain the quality and quantity of Bedul mangroves and supporting facilities in a sustainable manner. This research can be used as a reference for future research into sustainable ecotourism, as well as for the government to create policies that support sustainable ecotourism.