Soewarso, Chairman of the Indonesian Forest Concession Holders Association (APHI), welcomed efforts to bolster collaboration between the government and the business sector in managing mangroves, according to a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
He noted that the vast expanse of mangrove ecosystems within forest areas underscores the critical role of forestry policy in ensuring their protection, rehabilitation, and utilization are carried out sustainably.
“Mangroves must be positioned as a strategic national asset. These ecosystems not only store carbon and protect coastlines, but also serve as a living space and a source of livelihoods for communities,” Soewarso said.
According to him, the success of rehabilitation efforts should not be measured solely by the number of seedlings planted or the total acreage covered, but also by plant survival rates, ecosystem function recovery, institutional strengthening, and increased income for coastal communities.
He stressed that forestry businesses can contribute through seedling production, planting, maintenance, monitoring, technological development, community empowerment, and the development of non-timber mangrove products.
“Businesses must go beyond symbolic planting. There must be continuous maintenance, outcome measurement, community mentorship, and assurance that the ecological and economic benefits endure over the long term,” he remarked.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki outlined the Ministry of Forestry's concrete measures to restore mangrove ecosystems, noting that as of late 2025, the ministry and its partners had successfully rehabilitated 91,678 hectares.
In 2026, the ministry is targeting to rehabilitate over 17,000 hectares in collaboration with various partners, including Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2026 World Mangrove Day commemoration event in Bali on Sunday, Rohmat noted that the collaborative initiatives have created jobs for 64,386 people and supported the adoption of 63 village regulations on mangrove ecosystem protection and management.
Furthermore, Rp16.29 billion (around US$904,697) in community business grants has also been disbursed.
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Translator: Subagyo, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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