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ITDC to establish bird park at mangrove forest in SEZ Mandalika
The Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is set to establish a bird park in the mangrove forest in Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ Mandalika).
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The Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is set to establish a bird park in the mangrove forest in Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ Mandalika) (Shutterstock/Lukas Budinsky)
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tate-owned enterprise PT Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), which operates Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ Mandalika) in central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is continuing to establish environmentally friendly tourist destinations in the area.
The enterprise, adhering to the green tourism concept, is now partnering with the University of Mataram (Unram) to conduct a series of studies aiming at the successful establishment of a bird park in mangrove forest located in SEZ Mandalika.
Apart from functioning as a sanctuary for pheasants and wild birds in the area, the bird park is slated to become a tourist destination in the future.
Head of SEZ Mandalika general affairs I Gusti Lanang Bratasuta confirmed the joint research in a press conference held at Hotel Santika Mataram on Friday, June 29. He said the mangrove forest in the Mandalika area spans 70 hectares on the east side.
The bird park will be supported by road access to the mangrove forest area. “It will also serve as a temporary nesting area for migrating birds such as the Australian pelican, and this is likely to attract visitors,” said Bratasuta.
Read also: Mandalika most sought after at upcoming Rinjani Travel Mart
SEZ Mandalika, covering a total area of 1,175 ha, is one of the 10 New Bali Destinations, inaugurated by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in September 2017.
Widely considered a budding tourist destination, 10 investors are noted by ITDC to have started developing the area. Construction of hotels with total investment value up to Rp 20 trillion is said to be already on the way.
“We are confident that the 2020 target of having 1,200 [hotel] rooms in the area will be achieved,” said Bratasuta.
Along with the hotel rooms, infrastructure including a beach park, a trade area for small and medium enterprises and a MotoGP circuit are also planned to be built.
The latter is set to be built by French company Vinci Construction Grands Projets, reported to have visited Mandalika several times. They are now completing preparation such as feasibility studies and other requirements to build the circuit. Total investment by the company is estimated up to US$600 million.
Vinci is also reported to invest in the construction of a number of hotels in the area to help accommodate tens of thousands of travelers expected to visit to watch MotoGP races. (mut)
