By Tutus Wijanarko
The "Welcome to Alor" sign in the middle of Sika Island greeted us before we landed on the airstrip. The clean white sand, combined with the clear blue sea water, is a combination of natural beauty that spoils the eyes. Sika Island is a small island in the northeast of the Regional Marine Conservation Area (KKPD) of Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The position of this island is directly opposite Mali Airport.

In addition to its natural beauty, the 53.683-hectare Sika Island also holds potential as a home for mangroves. When we walk around the island, we will see a kind of green belt on the beach. This green belt is a collection of mangrove saplings that have begun to grow densely. The mangrove saplings planted are generally of the Rhizopora type. This mangrove ecosystem did not grow naturally, but as a result of planting efforts initiated by environmental activists in Alor Regency, one of whom is Mr. Onesimus Laa. Mr. One, as he is usually called, is the Chairman of the Alor Regency Fishermen Forum who has been active in mangrove planting efforts on Sika Island for around 3 years. His passion for mangrove conservation began with his introduction to WWF-Indonesia around 2009. At that time, WWF tried to encourage the formation of a fishermen's community forum in Alor Regency with a Small Individual Business (SME) approach and coastal and marine conservation activities. Forum IKAN (Ikatan Anak Nelayan) Kabola, that was the name of the forum. At first, the forum did not know what mangroves were and their benefits. However, once they planted mangrove saplings on Sika Island, small fish began to arrive, as well as crabs and shrimps, indicating a link between the fauna and the mangroves as a place to feed and breed. Pak One and Forum IKAN's efforts have been supported by several parties, including the Regional Environmental Agency (BLHD) of Alor Regency and Tribuana University (Untrib) in Alor Regency. BLHD supports this conservation effort by providing mangrove seedlings for the community around Sika Island to plant. It is predicted that this mangrove sapling planting area will grow into a mature mangrove tree in about 3 - 5 years if there is no disturbance from humans and pests around it. Meanwhile, UNTRIB supports the preservation of mangroves by making Sika Island a research center for mangrove ecosystem studies in Alor district.

Appreciating the success of mangrove conservation efforts on Sika Island, Minister of Disadvantaged Regions Development (PDT) Helmy Faishal Zaini paid a visit to Sika Island on Friday (22/8). This visit coincided with the minister's agenda to visit Alor Regency, as one of the underdeveloped regions in Indonesia. On this occasion, the Minister had the opportunity to plant coconut seedlings around the beach of Sika Island. The minister also advised to continue to make efforts to conserve nature by maintaining mangrove ecosystems that can function to protect beaches from abrasion. In addition, saving nature will be a legacy for our children and grandchildren in the future, because nature requires a harmonious relationship between humans to maintain its sustainability.

Sika Island contributes greatly to maintaining the balance of ecosystems in Alor's marine waters because it is one of the core zones in the waters of the Alor Regency MPA. This core zone acts as a protection area, preservation, and natural rehabilitation area for ecosystems along with habitats and populations of aquatic biota in the sea and coastal areas. With the preservation of the core zone, the sustainability of coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs and reef fishes can recover and be well maintained.