Legal Protection of MahakamDolphinsThrough Water Conservation Areas in KutaiKartanegara Regency

Abstract

Mahakam dolphins are aquatic mammals (not fish) that live in freshwater rivers in the tropics and live in groups. The Mahakam dolphins, as endemic to the Mahakam River, is already threatened with extinction and needs protection to prevent the extinction from occurring. This paper explores the problems, namely the legal protection of the Mahakam Dolphinin Kutai Kertanegara Regency and the determination of conservation of the Mahakam Dolphinhabitat area in Kutai Kertanegara Regency. The research method used is normative legal research (doctrinal) with the collection of legal materials. Theresults showed that the government of Kutai Kartanegara Regency has tried to protect the Mahakam dolphin through the establishment of the Mahakam DolphinsHabitat Water Conservation Area. This stipulation serves as an instrument in providing guidelines for the Regional Government and stakeholders in Kutai Kartanegara Regencyin the context of organizing activities for the protection and preservation of the Mahakam dolphins.