Wakatobi Regency Government Introduces Mangrove Conservation from an Early Age Through the Book Guidelines for Environment

To introduce efforts to protect the environment from an early age, especially mangroves, during February 2022, the Wakatobi Regency Government along with Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) and the Wakatobi National Park Office held a socialization and trial of the book "Guidelines for Environmental Warriors, Guardians of the Wakatobi Mangrove" in several elementary schools and junior high schools in Wakatobi Regency.

Published for the first time, this book explores one of the natural resources of Wakatobi Regency that must be preserved, mangroves. Mangrove forest is one of the most significant ecosystems in coastal areas. The mangrove forest area of Wakatobi Regency is spread over five islands, such as: Wangi-Wangi Island, Kapota Island, Kaledupa Island, Tomia Island, and Binongko Island total area of 1,914.87 hectares (Department of Marine and Fisheries of Wakatobi Regency, 2017).

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to YKAN for cooperating with the Wakatobi National Park Office and the Wakatobi District Education Office to compile this book and contribute to the world of education in Wakatobi Regency. We hope that the contents and messages contained in this book, besides being able to add to the treasures of knowledge, can also provide a message of preserving natural resources, especially mangroves in the Wakatobi Regency area, " explained the Regent of Wakatobi Haliana in the introduction to the book.

“This book is educative as it invites students to know the potential of natural resources around them, as well as efforts to keep them sustainable. The material is also very easy for students to understand and practice,” explained Jasmina, a teacher at SDN Teewali, South Kaledupa District, Wakatobi Regency.

By utilizing the environment as a learning source, students are able to analyze the various challenges that exist and understand how to manage and utilize natural resources sustainably.

In coastal areas, the community is highly dependent on the environmental services provided by the mangrove ecosystem. If managed effectively and sustainably, mangroves can be a source of livelihood, and contribute to food and social security. In this condition, it is important to introduce efforts to conserve mangroves to children through environmental education activities, " concluded YKAN Director of Oceans Program Muhammad Ilman.