The aim of mangrove rehabilitation is not only recovering the ecology, but also giving positive impact to the people’s economy.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) commemorates the National Tree Planting Day, celebrated on November 28 each year, by reinforcing the planting of mangroves throughout the country to rehabilitate the ecosystem.

BRGM's Head of Mangrove Rehabilitation Working Group for Kalimantan and Papua Agung Rusdiyatmoko said that the sustainable community involvement is one of the crucial factors for the success of the program.

"Community’s role is very important in protecting mangroves. The aim of mangrove rehabilitation is not only recovering the ecology, but also giving positive impact to the people’s economy," he said in a statement received here on Sunday.

Rusdiyatmoko added, the aim of the national tree planting day is in accordance with the agency's efforts to plant mangroves in a 600 thousand hectares of area until 2024.

In 2021, he said, BRGM has intensively rehabilitated 34 thousand hectares of mangroves in nine provinces, namely North Sumatra, Bangka Belitung, Riau Islands, Riau, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, Papua, and West Papua.

One of the rehabilitation sites is in Batu Ampar Village, Batu Ampar Sub-district, Kubu Raya District, West Kalimantan Province. The agency involved the residents to plant Rhizophora sp --a genus of mangrove tree-- at 11 damaged areas.

"Many sites have completed their planting activities. Today (through the commemoration of the national day), our motivation is strengthened to meet the rehabilitation target," Rusdiyatmoko noted.

Mangrove rehabilitation is Indonesia's commitment to comply with the Paris Agreement. Indonesia has targeted to reduce the carbon emission by 29 percent with its own attempts and by 41 percent with international support by 2030.

Head of the Village Forest Management Agency (LPHD) of Batu Ampar Village, Hermansyah, said villagers have enthusiastically took part in the mangrove planting activity.

"Although there are only 60 people registered for the activity, actually there are more than 200 residents involved since people outside the working group also help in preparing the materials for planting, such as the seedlings and stakes," he said.

He added that it required 35 thousand seedlings for mangrove planting in 35 hectares of land. The seedlings were purchased from local residents, hence, in addition to protecting the environment, the program could improve people's welfare.

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Translator: Subagyo, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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