Tarakan - Mayor of Tarakan, East Kalimantan, with the Ambassador of Taiwan to Indonesia, and PT Mustika Minanusa Aurora (MMA), and WWF-Indonesia Tarakan re-green the city, this time by planting mangroves at Bekantan Mangrove Conservation Area, Tarakan, on Friday, August 23, 2013 yesterday. A total of 500 trees seedlings of the mangrove species  of Rhizophora mucronata from mangrove nurseries of PT. MMA with technical supervisory by WWF-Indonesia planted in an area of ​​100m2.

Planting mangroves areas is sustainable ecosystem management initiatives, especially which adjacent to shrimp farms area. For Tarakan, Tiger Shrimp aquaculture (Black Tiger / Penaeus monodon) is a very important source of income, and as important as keeping the ecosystem in balance so that both management and ecosystem can be managed sustainably. Planting the species Rhizophora mucronata at the site is an effort to balance the excessive nutrient  (chemicals that are needed by the living organisms) in the aquaculture ponds. In addition, mangroves are the main actor  withstand the abrasion and big waves such as tsunamis, these capabilities of mangroves known by the term ‘sabuk hijau’ (green belt).

Mayor of Tarakan , H. Hianggio Udin , urges the continuity of good efforts like this that have been initiated by PT MMA and WWF -Indonesia . He said, shese efforts help the City Government of Tarakan in greening the city especially with mangroves. Mayor himself also hopes that activity like this can be an example for other business sectors in Tarakan to always care about the environment so that the vision of Tarakan City government to develop and preserve the mangrove forests can be realized.

Furthermore, Taiwan 's Ambassador to Indonesia , Andrew LY Hsia , said (as translated by Boediono Hiu of PT MMA) he was very happy and proud to took part in mangroves planting along with the Mayor of Tarakan and the people of Tarakan . This is a good news from Indonesia again that Andrew been expecting from, mangroves plantings is so much important to aquaculture business sector especially during recent situation where deforestation is a major issue in Indonesia. Andrew hopes the event can be published to many countries in the world so that they know that in the city of Tarakan still many mangrove trees, and he promised to urge this publication back in Taiwan. Andrew admitted that was his the second time for him in mangroves planting, first was done in Taiwan. For Indonesia, Andrew’s visit is a positive signal in developing further cooperation, especially in shrimp aquaculture.

Han, CEO of Great Wall (one of the PT MMA shareholders), confirming that the importance of mangroves planting is trully will bring benefit for shrimp aquaculture business sector, especially in bringing the quality assurance in delivering the product. Han hopes PT MMA and the government could have been constantly developing models of similar events, but not limited to mangrove planting only, an exchange of knowledge and cooperation will also bring benefits for many parties.

The mangroves planting was also followed by the Chief of the Forestry Agency of Tarakan City, Ir Budi, Msi, and his staff ; the staffs of Environment Agency of Tarakan City; staff of the Department of Tourism and Culture of Tarakan City, 17 the largest shareholder of PT . MMA from Taiwan; Yonif  (infantry battalion) commander 613/Raja Alam Tarakan with one (1) platoon (a platoon consist of 30-50 men) member. Mangroves planting event is not only covered by local media, but also by the international media from Taiwan .

The mangroves nursery that has been initiated by PT MMA and WWF–Indonesia seeded several other mangrove types that will soon be planted, such as Rhizophora apiculata, Prugueira Gymnorhyza, and Avecennia marina. Some mangroves species grow very good in areas with mud substrates suitable in most of the coastal areas in Tarakan, so it will be very easy to maintain as the benefits are also potentially will be attained. (ggn)