Enriching Underwater Tourism in Bedukang Waters, PT Timah

Enriching Underwater Tourism in Bedukang Waters, PT Timah Tbk Sinks Coral Garden

BANGKA - PT Timah continues to support the development of underwater tourism by submerging coral gardens at several points. This time, the issuer with the TINS ??code drowned the Coral Garden in Bedukang Waters, Air Antu Hamlet, Deniang Village, Riau Silip District, Bangka Regency, Thursday (10/11/2022).

Previously, on October 31, PT Timah TINS ??also submerged a coral garden in the Putri Island area, Penyesuk Village, Bukit Ketok Village, Belinyu District, Bangka Regency.

The sinking of the coral garden is not only an effort to maintain the marine ecosystem but also to support the development of underwater tourism.

This FAD sinking activity is in collaboration with the Joint Business Group (KUB) of Bina Sejahtera Bersama and cadets from the University of Bangka Belitung.

The Head of Fishermen of KUB Bina Sejahtera Bersama, Juliadi said, they enthusiastically welcomed the sinking of the coral garden. The reason is, there is a lot of potentials that can be developed from Coral Garden activities.

"We are very optimistic that with this Coral Garden the tourism sector will increase because there is a shallow spot, if you want snorkeling, you can do it with makeshift tools and the distance is not too far," he said.

Moreover, he said, the underwater scenery in the area is very beautiful, in the area, there are various kinds of coral reefs with different types and colors. Coupled with the Nemo fish.

He hopes that this program can become a new tourist destination for the community, besides that it can also be used for fishermen to find fish.

"So far we have only drowned FADs, but for the coral gardens themselves, there has never been and this is the first time we have done this together with PT Timah. Hopefully, this will become a leading spot from various aspects. Besides being a tourist destination, it can also be used to find fish, as long as it doesn't disturb the coral reefs," he said.

In the future, he hopes that this kind of activity can continue so that it can provide added value for fishing groups in addition to fishing but also developing tourism.

Meanwhile, Lecturer of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Bangka Belitung University, Indra Ambalika, said TINS's efforts in sinking FADs and making coral gardens could encourage the development of other sectors.

He explained that the coral garden program will provide great benefits, not only for PT Timah Tbk but for universities and the wider community.

"This is the third program carried out by PT Timah Tbk, and for the third time, we see it is getting better. Because in this activity more and more parties are involved, such as students, DKP Office, Village Government, communities and fishermen so that they are more collaborative," he said.

This coral garden can support other sectors such as marine and tourism.

"In addition, the sectors that are developed are not only from the mining sector but various sectors such as fisheries, and tourism that can be developed. This means that the mining sector can be a generator, or a trigger to develop other sectors," said Indra.

According to Indra, PT Timah Tbk since 2018 has collaborated with the University of Bangka Belitung in marine reclamation programs such as coral transplant activities and sinking fish shelters to coral gardens.

"Alhamdullilah, we from UBB are involved in this program starting from planning, manufacturing, and diving to the monitoring stage as well," he said.

Similarly, the Sub-Coordinator for the Development and Utilization of Marine Space, Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Hasti Wahyuni ??assessed that PT Timah had carried out its responsibilities in carrying out marine rehabilitation.

According to the woman who is often called Yuyun, she said that her party is very supportive of this activity and marine rehabilitation must be carried out jointly by the government, companies, private sector, and others.

"Activities like this are very good because PT Timah has a responsibility to rehabilitate the sea. Hopefully, in the future we can collaborate with PT Timah to protect the area so that it can support the diversity of marine ecosystems around this area," he said.

He said if properly developed this coral garden could become a tourist spot that could support the community's economy.

"In addition, the management must be improved, not just immersion, such as monitoring and developing the community. So that this activity can have a positive impact on the community both economically, "he said.

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