Manajemen Pengelolaan Ekowisata Mangrove Desa Ekang Anculai, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau

Abstract

Sustainable tourism serves as an essential approach to maintaining a balance between the utilization of natural resources and the improvement of community welfare. One of its implementations is the development of mangrove-based ecotourism that emphasizes environmental conservation, education, and local community participation. Ekang Anculai Village in Bintan Regency holds significant potential for developing community-based ecotourism through the establishment of Ekang Mangrove Park as a conservation and educational tourism area. The planning process involved field observations, interviews, literature reviews, and descriptive surveys to identify the ecological and social potential of the area. The results indicate that the 196-hectare mangrove ecosystem hosts high biodiversity, consisting of nine true mangrove species and five associated species, dominated by Rhizophora apiculata and Xylocarpus granatum. In addition, 32 bird species and several key fauna such as the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and the Natuna leaf monkey (Presbytis natunae) were recorded, providing strong ecotourism appeal. The mangrove species also offer potential for eco-based product development, including flour, syrup, and natural dyes derived from fruits and leaves. The area’s development is supported by collaboration among local communities, government agencies, and educational institutions through empowerment initiatives and the rebranding of Ekang Tourism Village. Ekang Mangrove Park stands as a model of sustainable ecotourism management that not only preserves the ecological function of mangrove ecosystems but also strengthens the local economy and fosters environmental conservation awareness among the community.