THE ECONOMY OF MANGROVE OF BATU AMPAR “A Dilemmatic Choice between Necessity and Broader Economic Benefits”

Abstract

Charcoal Industry in Batu Ampar is an irony. First, the materials used is the best mangrove in Asia. Second, The technology employed is an old-fashioned technology since it was brought in at the beginning of twentieth century which result in low quality of charcoal. Third, deforestation of Mangrove is the annihilation of many economic assets. Mangrove Forest is not only functioning to prevent abrasion but also the best place for germination (fish, shrimps, crabs, etc.) and Mangrove Honey Bees. But, it is what is called an irony. Man tend to prefer an instaneous benefit rather than the real one. Man prefer the easiest way to make a living, no matter how much loss they will be. Man prefer dunya> (instaneous, temporal and palliative advantages) and abolish a>khira (real, later, hereafter benefits). The average sum of Rp 30.000.000,- per charcoal furnace for 40 days which let it’s owner to make Rp 5.000.000,- works like a magic bewitching Batu Ampar Community. Hundreds of charcoal furnaces are in action. Fortunately, a group of young men begin to develop a Soka Crab Cultivation instead of destroying the ecology of Mangrove Forest of Batu Ampar, Hopefuly, they would be able to show the Mangrove Charcoal Community of how beneficial the Mangroves are, in terms of ecomy, nature but theology.