By: Dwi Suprapti

Abrasion is quite a scary specter for some residents of the north coast of West Kalimantan. Based on observation data from WWF-Indonesia (2009) there are at least 193 km of the north coast of West Kalimantan that are threatened by abrasion. And no less critical is Sungai Duri Village, Sungai Raya Subdistrict, Bengkayang Regency where at the end of each year it is not uncommon for residents to have to evacuate due to sea tides that inundate their homes and a number of residents have lost their homes due to residential land being eroded by waves of sea water.

Sungai Duri Village is one of the largest villages in Sungai Raya sub-district, Bengkayang Regency. With an area covering 3,000 square meters and a population of ± 17,000 people. Most of the residents of Sungai Duri Village depend on fishing for a living. Others cultivate agricultural land and plantations. In addition, the main profession of the residents of Sungai Duri Village is as traders. With its strategic geographical location, which is situated between major cities such as Singkawang and Pontianak, Sungai Duri Village once experienced quite rapid economic growth.

However, since being exposed to abrasion about 25-30 years ago, it has had a negative impact on the development of the area. The area that was previously the center of the economy in the North Pesisir is now increasingly deteriorating due to the destruction of nature, especially the coastal area. Fishing has decreased drastically, and the main highway has been destroyed by the ferocious waves of the sea.

Seeing this condition, PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) at the age of 58 together with WWF Indonesia initiated an activity to plant 15,000 mangrove seedlings along the coast in Sungai Duri Village, Sungai Raya District, Bengkayang Regency as an effort to prevent the impact of increasingly severe abrasion. A review of the planting results and at the same time a symbolic planting was carried out (9/6) by BCA Head of CSR Sapto Rachmadi, Head of BCA Singkawang KCU Lily Sunaryo, Head of WWF Indonesia West Kalimantan Program - Albertus Tjiu, Muspika Sungai Raya District, Sungai Duri Village Government and Akar Bahar Youth Organization.

Lily said, "We again planted Mangrove seedlings as part of a series of BCA 58th Anniversary activities in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan. Today's activity is also a follow-up to the tree planting that we have carried out in Mangrove Ecotourism in Pantai Indah Kapuk area, North Jakarta and a number of other areas. This activity is expected to be able to help rehabilitate the Mangrove area in this region."

Based on image analysis conducted by WWF-Indonesia in the period 2000 - 2009, there has been an increase in the level of damage to West Kalimantan (West Kalimantan) mangrove forests in Sambas, Singkawang-Bengkayang, Pontianak and Kubu Raya Regencies with 57.779 Ha; 0.75 Ha; 645.974 and 1,432.7 Ha respectively or a total of 2,137.203 Ha. According to the West Kalimantan Regional Environmental Agency (BLHD), the high damage to mangrove forests is due to forest clearing for settlements, ponds and illegal logging which is the biggest contributor to mangrove damage in West Kalimantan. "Therefore, replanting mangrove seedlings is something that we need to strive for together so that mangrove forests can be rehabilitated." said Lily.

The mangrove tree planting is part of the NEWtrees program launched by WWF. This program is oriented towards improving the function of priority ecosystems at the landscape level. The NEWtrees program is also in line with the government's ongoing efforts to integrate sectoral development with environmental carrying capacity. The NEWtrees program also supports and contributes to realizing the government's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2020 through the multiplication of tree planting and reforestation.

Meanwhile, WWF-Indonesia's West Kalimantan Program Manager, Albertus Tjiu added, in commemoration of Environment Day on June 5 and June 8 which is World Oceans Day with the theme "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" is the right time for us together to reforest the planet related to mangrove planting along the north coast of West Kalimantan. WWF Indonesia has been working with the youth group Karang Taruna "Akar Bahar" since 2009 for this reforestation effort. "This is a joint effort to raise the awareness of Sungai Duri residents of the importance of mangroves for life," he explained.

He hopes that the 15,000 seedlings that have been planted in Sungai Duri Village in the future can benefit the Sungai Duri coastal community from the threat of abrasion, protect from the onslaught of high tides at the end of the year and restore the fisheries sector with lush mangroves supported by strong anchor roots, Albert concluded.