DILI, 01 august 2021 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres ‘Lú Olo’ and the First Lady, Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres, today, visit the Mangrove Study Center, in Hera, Dili.
“Well, I heard about this Mangrove Study Center was developed by a group of young people as ecotourism. So, today, I am here with my family to see this beautiful place for myself and appreciate what these young people had done so far,” President LuOlo told reporters, at the Mangrove Study Center, in Hera, Dili, today.
Lú Olo said he was impressed with the initiative of turning the spot into a beautiful place, saying young Timorese has the capacity and the spirit of creativity.
“It’s my first time to see something like this with my own eyes. I will talk with the government to incentivize this kind of initiative in other places across the country to attract more tourists to Timor-Leste. After seeing this, I can say that Timorese people, particularly the young people can do it. I want these young people to keep up their initiative and hard work,” said LuOlo.
Lú Olo appreciated the initiative and hard work of the group of young people who established the Mangrove Study Center, by turning the area into ecotourism: “This place is very attractive, and I believe that when the Covid-19 is over, many tourists would visit this place.”
The Executive Director of the Mangrove Study Center, Alito Rosa, thanked the President of the Republic for the visit, saying President LuOlo was the first leader to visit the center.
“I was delighted to receive the visit of the President of the Republic. The messages left by His Excellency motivated us to keep working. I call on young people across the country; let’s start developing our beloved Timor-Leste. Youths play a crucial role to be at the forefront of national development,” said Rosa.
Rosa said the center collects up to US$ 700 per week, saying every visitor must pay US$ 1.00 to enter the area of the Mangrove Study Center: “This money would be used to develop this area, such as growing more mangrove trees and etc.”
The Center was established in 2016 by a group of young people, including Alito Rosa, the current Executive Director of Mangrove Study Center.
Mangroves contain a hidden plant and animal ecosystem that is in danger due to deforestation and climate change.
Journalist : Filomeno Martins
Editor : Nelia Borges Rosario
