In Arteche, Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY-The construction of the mangrove forest trail and conservation center in Arteche town, Eastern Samar, has started.
The project, funded by the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism, is valued at P20 million.
The mangrove forest trail will span 700 meters through the 169-hectare mangrove forest in Sitio Bugtosan, Barangay Beri, which is the largest mangrove forest in Eastern Samar. This initiative is part of the municipality’s 10-year tourism development plan.
“This project will not only boost tourism and create employment and economic opportunities, particularly in promoting our marine products, but it will also encourage community participation in the protection and conservation of our mangrove forest and its habitat,” said Mayor Roland Boie Evardone.
The mangrove forest in Brgy.Beri is home to the pistol shrimp, locally known as “tabakla.” Catching tabakla is one of the activities offered to tourists visiting the municipality, along with trips to Higunom Island.
Mayor Evardone also mentioned plans to declare part of the mangrove forest a protected area, particularly the areas where the pistol shrimp are found.
“We will be declaring Bugtosan a protected area for tabakla to ensure the sustainability of its protection and conservation. We don’t want future generations to only learn about tabakla from books,” he added.
Construction of the boardwalk began in October and is expected to be completed by January 2025.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
