Siak, September 28, 2024 – The Functional Lecturer Group (KJFD) of the Development Administration, Public Administration Study Program, Universitas Riau, conducted a Community Service (PKM) activity with the theme "Strengthening the Management Capacity of the Mangrove Ecotourism Area" at the Historical River Mangrove Ecotourism, Kayu Ara Permai Village, Sungai Apit District, Siak Regency. This activity was led by Prof. Dr. Zaili Rusli SD., M.Si, as the Head of the KJFD Team, along with the service implementation members: Dr. Fajriani Ananda, S.Sos., M.Si, Dr. Dadang Mashur, S.Sos., M.Si, Dr. Zulkarnaini, S.Sos., M.Si, Mimin Sundari Nasution, S.Sos., M.Si, and Dr. Mayarni, S.Sos., M.Si.
The event was attended by the Head of Kayu Ara Permai Village, Abdul Razak, along with village officials, neighborhood leaders, members of Karang Taruna, members of PKK (Family Welfare Movement), Khaidir Air as the Mangrove Officer of the Siak Pelalawan Landscape Programme (Daemeter-Proforest), Adhi Karim and Sabarion Putra along with the members of the independent mangrove conservation group Laskar Mandiri. Also present were representatives from EMP Group PT. Imbang Tata Alam (PT. ITA), Arip Hidayatuloh and his team, who serve as the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program facilitators for the Historical River Mangrove Ecotourism.
This PKM activity involved MBKM 20 SKS Program Kukerta (Student Community Service) students currently conducting their work programs in Kayu Ara Permai Village, led by Firdaus Liska. The collaboration between academics, students, and various stakeholders is expected to positively impact the management of the Historical River Mangrove Ecotourism area, focusing on environmental education tourism (Eco-Edu-Tourism), particularly in empowering local communities and enhancing sustainable ecotourism management capacity.
In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Zaili Rusli SD., M.Si emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of the community in managing the existing potential of mangrove ecotourism. “The mangrove ecosystem has high ecological and economic value. With proper management, this area can become a tourist destination that not only supports environmental conservation but also improves the welfare of the local community,” said Prof. Zaili.
The Head of the Village, Abdul Razak, in his remarks, expressed his appreciation to the lecturers and students of Universitas Riau for their tangible contribution to the development of their village. "We hope this activity can be sustainable, and the synergy between the community, academics, and the private sector will continue to be established to realize Kayu Ara Permai Village as a leading environmental education tourism destination (Eco-Edu-Tourism)," he stated.
Meanwhile, Arip Hidayatuloh from EMP Group PT. Imbang Tata Alam (ITA) added that the company's CSR program is ready to collaborate to support human resource development by applying the "Sanak Sodagho" principle in building partnerships.
PT. ITA in this CSR activity does not aim to be recognized but to be accepted by the community. Therefore, all CSR programs are designed participatively with stakeholders and implemented through collaboration. The mangrove preservation program is one of the proposals from stakeholders, considering the coastal areas in Sungai Apit District, including Kayu Ara Permai Village, are at risk of environmental damage due to abrasion and mangrove forest destruction. "We fully support the PKM activities by the KJFD Development Administration of the Public Administration Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Riau, as it strengthens the necessary collaboration and synergy to optimize the environmental preservation program through mangrove eco-edutourism," added Arip.
Firdaus Liska, Head of the MBKM 20 SKS Kukerta Program in Kayu Ara Permai Village, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to participate in this PKM activity. “This activity is a tangible form of collaboration and synergy between village officials, lecturers, aligning with the work programs of the MBKM 20 SKS Kukerta students, NGOs, the CSR program of PT. ITA, and various parties concerned with environmental conservation, especially the mangrove ecosystem. We hope to contribute to enhancing the capacity of the local community in managing sustainable ecotourism areas,” said Firdaus.
The PKM activity includes guidance in various aspects, such as ecology-based tourism management, empowering tourism awareness groups, and strengthening synergy between village government, the community, and the private sector in developing the potential of mangrove ecotourism education.
Through the synergy between academics, village government, community groups, and the private sector, it is hoped that the mangrove area in the Historical River will further develop as a sustainable ecotourism area and provide long-term benefits to all involved parties.- RIRY-
