Particpated in the fieldstudy of Sustainable Development in Batam as part of the Geography Symposium.
We took an hour ferry ride from Singapore to Batam. Left Singapore at 8am.
Passed by Sentosa
Reached Batam at 8am too as Indonesia time is one hour behind Singapore time.
Coastal protection at Batam ferry terminal.
Crossed the famous bridge in Batam and saw some settlements along the way and more land being cleared for development.
The nursery which the young plants are kept for 3 months. Some of the young mangrove plants will be sold for reforestation or afforestation projects in other parts of Batam.
Mud lobster mound
More on the mangrove visit here
Discussion and presenting our findings at Harmoni One hotel meeting room.
Explored Batam's Pantai Sekoto beachfront area to learn about the mangrove in this area as part of the field study for Geography Symposium 2024. The programme was hosted by a member from Free the Sea – part of the WIK Group and the local volunteers. We looked into the impact of coastal erosion as well as the effects of the loss of this mangrove area.
The local outreach and education programme get the locals to be aware of the damage of the mangrove ecosystem and the mangrove restoration as well as replanting programme.
Drag on the screen for a 360 view
You can click on the menu at the bottom to access the 360 degree photos. Similar to the 360 videos, you can drag on the screen for a 360 view.
Learned so much on the efforts to reforest the mangrove from the local community and representative from Free the Sea
There are plans to develop ecotourism here.
The President planted 3 young plants here
Knee-like roots of Bruguiera exposed
Group photo with the volunteers and Wati (extreme left) from Free the Sea
We had lunch at Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant. Last visit to this restaurant was in 2006 and so much have changed. The Sea in front of the restaurant was reclaimed and the restaurant has expanded more than 2 times bigger.
After lunch, we visited the Free the Sea office in Panbil Industrial Estate to learn about the Plastic Recycling work that they do.
Free the Sea is a social enterprise which recyles plastic.
Met the team from Free the Sea, including the head of Free the Sea, Bahri Beyhan. He gave us a guided tour of the plastic recyling facility.
The hotel provided some snacks. The tarts is good but not so for the other 2 as it is cold and not as soft. Coffee was bad.
