I asked a guy who was sitting under a small house inside the mangrove forest if there is any native and unique name for this place distinguishable to other mangroves in Hera. He said you can just call this place "Hera ETO mangrove forest." I asked about naming or branding of this site because there are several patches of mangrove forest in the area of Hera which people could not quickly distinguish from one another.
Situated near ETO fuel depot, a community organization called Asosiasaun Konservasaun Flora i Fauna has just started to develop the mangrove recreation site. One and crucial facility is wooden walkway bridge. Approximately a hundred meters long walkway has been built to make access possible into the forest. Management of this new recreation site charges entry fee, $1 per person.
A person who often times passes by this area and could only see outer, I was amazed by the internal look after entering the forest. The place is so fresh, and cool for one to have a good time in. According to the guy, number of visitors is quite high on weekends. The site has just opened some weeks ago, and people are quite curious and attracted to come.
When I asked the guy what activities are planned for this mangrove recreation site, he said people can come here to relax, also school and university students to do mangrove conservation research activities. But nearly all the visitors come to take photos. The management plans to construct another access facility to the top of a big beachside rock. There will be a nice photo spot. However, this plan needs some time to implement because they need to raise fund, make design and build. Constructing access to the top of the rock will be another unique experience.
There are around tens of monkeys living inside the forest. These monkeys are native, and have multiplied since the forest was taken cared by the association. I was talking to the guy what if you do monkey feeding business alongside the entry fee, those monkeys could be fed by the visitors with banana bought from your association. You would make another money to keep and develop this site.
Another important aspect is parking for visitors. The parking is not healthy because dusty. Furthermore, visitors on-street parking is not safe since the road, National Road Number 1 has improved significantly, and traffic is quite busy. The guy said they would like to improve the parking area in the near future.
**Hope this gives you an inspiration.
