Does the intervention of regional authorities contribute to sustainable mangrove ecotourism? Case study on mangrove management at Karansong, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Mangrove ecotourism, as one of the tools for mangrove forest conservation, indeed has a large impact on the protection of mangrove forests. This paper assesses the intervention of local authorities in the management of mangrove ecotourism by the local community. This paper used a qualitative method with in-depth interviews, using local communities' involvement, including local leaders, local resource users, and local authorities. This paper's findings show that the intervention of local authorities in mangrove rehabilitation management can cause a threat to mangrove sustainability in terms of environmental protection. The involvement of the community in the mangrove ecotourism management has become indeed remarkable. The government's intervention in the mangrove ecotourism management through a policy believed to reduce community participation. Co-management is an approach to engaging the community in mangrove management can mediate the management conflict between the local community and the government. Furthermore, the development of the relevant policy is necessary following the successful implementation of the community-based mangrove rehabilitation and preservation of mangrove forests as part of environmental protection.