Wednesday, 17 September 2025
East Kalimantan Mangroves Become a Fortress Natural from Abrasion, Need Support from Citizens to Protect Them
Samarinda, (10/09/2025) - Not many people know, the mangrove forests in East Kalimantan are among the largest in Indonesia, reaching more than 240 thousand hectares. Mangroves are not just trees, but natural fortresses that resist abrasion as well as important habitats for fish and marine biota that support the lives of fishermen.
Unfortunately, the condition of mangroves in East Kalimantan is facing quite serious challenges due to land conversion into ponds and bushes. If it continues to decrease, coastal communities will be affected: abrasion increases, catches decrease, and protection from climate change weakens.
This issue was discussed at the MRV Framework Workshop at the Aston Hotel Samarinda, Wednesday (10/9). This activity is a collaboration between the East Kalimantan Provincial Government through Bappeda in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to protect the coast while reducing carbon emissions. and Fisheries, DPUPR-Pera, to the Forestry Service. Also present were academics, development partners, as well as representatives of civil society who care about the environment.
Resources present included those from the UPT of the Ministry of Forestry, namely BPKH Region IV Samarinda and BPDAS Mahakam Berau, as well as academic circles such as the Faculty of Forestry and Tropical Environment, University Mulawarman. East Kalimantan development partners also took part in the discussion, including M4CR Kaltim, the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN), and forestry expert Dr. Virni Budi Arifanti.
Wahyu Gatut Purboyo, Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Division of the East Kalimantan Bappeda, emphasized that "Efforts to protect mangroves are not just a government program, but a collective task. Rehabilitation of mangroves is not only a government matter, but requires support society. "Mangroves are our front line on the coast," he said.
Mangroves not only resist abrasion, but also absorb carbon as part of the blue carbon ecosystem which is important for the environment and community.
It is hoped that this Workshop will encourage collaboration in the use of mangroves and safeguard them so that coasts are protected and future generations are safe from climate threats.
(SA)
