By: Lia Syafitri

A number of parties have again focused their attention on the north coast of West Kalimantan. The annual momentum of World Earth Day, which is commemorated every April 22, carries a series of activities with the main focus of mangrove planting in the West Kalimantan green shield area.

The West Kalimantan Green Shield area is spread across a number of points. Among them are Gosong Beach, Bengkayang Regency. Setapuk Besar Village and Kuala Village, Singkaw ang City.

WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program Manager Albertus Tjiu said, along 193 kilometers of the north coast of West Kalimantan is threatened by abrasion and sea tides since 2012. Mangrove restoration efforts are needed to overcome these conditions. In addition to protecting, mangrove restoration also has a positive impact on the community, both ecological, social, and economic," he said in Pontianak, Friday (4/21/2017).

According to Albert, since 2009 WWF Indonesia periodically together with nine partner groups have restored the north coast area of 55.25 hectares with mangrove plants. The efforts made have produced quite good results.

"In addition to protecting the area, a variety of biota also began to appear. Finally, the mangrove area began to develop as a tourist destination that supports the economy of local residents. As has been done by Mempawah Mangrove Conservation in Mempawah Regency and the Surya Perdana Mandiri group in Singkawang City, "explained Albert.

Collaborative Work

Celebrating Earth Day this year, the Environmental Care Community (KOPLING) of Gosong Beach organized an Environmental Bhakti Camp and Mangrove Planting. This activity took place on April 21-23 at Gosong Beach, Sungai Raya Islands District. This social activity is supported by West Kalimantan artist Pradono.

Akhmad Baharudin, Chairman of the Gosong Beach KOPLING said 2,000 mangrove seedlings will be planted from the 2017 target of 10,000 seedlings. "There are 500 participants who have committed to attend. They are from Sispala and Mapala throughout West Kalimantan. TNI Rindam XII Tanjungpura is also committed to participate," he continued.

Secretary of Commission V of the West Kalimantan DPRD Johanes A Dopong appreciated the environmental concern of these young people, amid the lack of a special government budget allocation to deal with this matter. "This is an independent movement that should be emulated by others," he continued.

Meanwhile, Inspirasi Kreativitas Biak Singkawang (IKBS) Singkawang City will hold an Earth Day Commemoration on April 21-29, 2017 through a series of activities. Starting from tree planting, mangrove forest cleanup action, environmental campaign action, seminars with the theme The Role of the World of Education in Responding to the Environmental Crisis, mural competitions and cultural nights in Singkawang City.

Ahmad Maulana, Chairman of IKBS, said that his party juxtaposed the celebration of Earth Day and National Education Day with the theme "Action for Earth, Earth for Generation". This activity aims to increase public awareness, especially youth and students of Singkawang City to care about nature.

"This activity will be attended by representatives from 27 high schools and eight campuses in Singkawang City, as well as two student organizations. One of our main targets is to collect one ton of plastic waste in the Kuala Singkawang mangrove forest area," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Secondary Education Division, Singkawang City Education and Culture Office Asmadi urged all parties to work together to green the earth. "I hope that cooperation will continue between the community, government, environmental institutions and the community to protect the earth," he pleaded.
On the other hand, the Pontianak River Basin I and WWF Indonesia, as well as the Surya Perdana Mandiri (SPM) Setapuk Besar Group of Singkawang City, will also plant 2,000 mangrove seedlings on May 5, 2017.

Chairman of SPM Setapuk Besar, Jumadi said that his party targets in 2017 as many as 7,000 mangrove seedlings will be planted in the Setapuk Mangrove Forest area. "This continued effort that we have carried out since 2009 is expected to protect our area from increasingly severe abrasion," he said.

The man who received the Kalpataru award in 2015 explained that the efforts that have been made since 2009 have paid off. "Our area has been well protected. In addition to abundant natural products, the Setapuk Besar mangrove forest has become a tourist destination with more than 1,000 tourists visiting every week," he explained.