Who doesn’t enjoy vacationing in natural tourism destinations? After being busy doing many kinds of work, it must be wonderful to relax and appreciate the beauty of nature. However, we need to make sure that what we do on vacation do not harm the environment. For those of you who wish to go on holiday while also paying attention to environmental protection, ecotourism is such a perfect choice for you!
Ecotourism, according to The International Ecotourism Society, is a type of travel that aims to protect the natural environment, promote the welfare of the local people, and provide environmental education. Currently, there are more and more tourist attractions in Indonesia that offer ecotourism experiences for tourists, including in Papua. This time, EcoNusa will share information about 3 natural tourist destinations in Papua that have carried the concept of ecotourism. Let’s read along to find out!
1. Pomako Mangrove Ecotourism
Pomako Mangrove Ecotourism has grown to become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mimika Regency, Papua. Many tourists come to this location, especially during the 2021 National Sports Week / Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) in Papua. Visitors can walk along the bridge while admiring the natural beauty of the mangrove forest on their right and left. Mangroves are one of the important aspects to preserve the coastal environment because they can withstand the force of the waves from the sea.
There are about 27 types of mangroves in the ecotourism area. One of its distinguishing features is the presence of mangroves that reach a height of 30 meters. Furthermore, this mangrove forest also serves as a habitat for a variety of species. As a result, visitors can learn more about the existing biodiversity while also enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
2. Malagufuk Ecotourism Village
Papua is home to many beautiful bird species, such as the bird of paradise and cassowary. If you want to see these birds in their natural habitat, go to Ecotourism Village Malagufuk in Sorong Regency, West Papua, which is well-known for birdwatching. Visitors are usually guided into the forest by locals to find the birds in the morning, about 6 to half past 8 a.m.
Initially, the people of Kampung Malagufuk relied solely on agricultural sales to meet their basic necessities. However, Kampung Malagufuk has now become one of the most popular ecotourism sites, drawing visitors from all over the world. The presence of these tourists can also increase the income of the local community because they can be directly involved in becoming tour guides, cooks, homestay owners, and other roles.
3. Arfak Ecotourism
In addition to Malagufuk Village, you can also do birdwatching ecotourism trips in the Arfak Mountains, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua. The local community works together to protect the forest so that the biodiversity of the area can be preserved. As a result, there are still a variety of birds that live and can be found there, such as Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Western Parotia, Vogelkop Bowerbird, and Black Sicklebill.
Tourists will be accompanied by locals to see the birds in their natural habitat. In addition, at an altitude of roughly 2,000 meters above sea level, you may enjoy the beauty and beauty of the mountains. Visitors are only allowed to look about and take photos of the birds, in line with the concept of ecotourism, which aims to preserve nature and biodiversity. Nevertheless, the activity of birdwatching in the mountains itself must already be a valuable experience that will not be forgotten.
Which of these three Papua ecotourism destinations do you wish to visit the most? Visiting these places is surely gonna be fun. Our eyes will be spoiled by its natural beauty, but we will also be able to learn a lot at the same time. However, in keeping with the idea of ecotourism, make sure that when traveling we preserve the natural sustainability of the area.For example, by not littering and not disturbing the various flora and fauna that exist.
Furthermore, if you want to contribute even more to the preservation of Papua’s natural environment, you can join EcoNusa’s School of Eco Diplomacy, which has been running since 2018. Through this program, you will get a chance to learn about many environmental issues, particularly in Eastern Indonesia, and to develop real actions on what we can do to preserve nature. Stay tuned on EcoNusa social media and website for more information!
