Islands In Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan Have Tourism Potential

Pelaihari, S.Kalimantan (Antara Bali) - The small islands in Tanah Laut district, South Kalimantan province, have the potential to be developed as a new tourism destination, a local official remarked here on Monday.

"The tourism potential of the islands has not been optimally explored and exploited due to financial and human resource problems," Head of Marine Resources Protection and Management Edy Santoso.

According to Santoso, eight small islands have high potential to be developed as tourism spots. Of the eight islands, Datu, Bejanggut, and Bulima are naturally protected.

Some of the small islands are occupied, but the others are unpopulated as only rocks and stones are found on the islands. "Datu Island has been a tourism spot," Edy said, adding that these islands are included in the coastal and small islands zonation plan.

The plan aims to maximize the management of coastal areas and will be part of the local regulation. "Zonation planning in marine and coastal areas is important to manage Tanah Laut's marine areas spanning 175.93 square kilometers," Edy emphasized.

The zonation plan provides information regarding the functioning of each zone, such as fish-catching zones, seaports, and fish cultivation zones, he added. (WDY)