At the mouth of the Martewar River in Sarmi Regency, every crash of the waves serves as a reminder of the threat of coastal erosion, which is slowly eroding the shoreline and endangering the settlements and coconut groves that have long been the residents’ source of livelihood.

They did not give up. The residents of Martewar Village chose to take concrete collective action: planting together. The decision to resume planting along the Martewar coast emerged from a learning process initiated by the community itself. A group of young people took the lead, supported by the Chair of the Village Consultative Body (BAMUSKAM) and representatives of the village administration.

Based on two monitoring reports compiled by the youth group to track the growth of the saplings, it was found that some of the saplings from tree species planted previously were unable to survive due to wave action in the river estuary area. The community then agreed to try planting mangroves together again, with the firm belief that once the mangroves have grown strong, the area will be better prepared for the planting of various other tree species. This planting initiative is managed independently by the youth group from Kampung Martewar, while they learn about the importance of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA).

Mangrove planting is one of the follow-up actions resulting from the capacity-building program conducted in March 2026, and it also serves as a guide for community action after the training concludes. This initiative was chosen in light of the conditions at the Martewar River estuary, which is one of the areas most severely affected by coastal erosion. If not addressed promptly, coastal erosion could threaten residents’ settlements as well as the coconut plantations that form part of the community’s livelihood. Under these conditions, mangroves are expected to serve as a natural barrier for the coastal area. The strong, dense roots of mangroves help trap sediment, reduce wave energy, and protect the shoreline from erosion.

“The activity we’re carrying out in Martewar is mangrove planting. As mangrove trees, we believe they can help break the waves. Therefore, as the youth leader, I’m encouraging my friends to work together to prevent threats that have occurred in the past, such as coastal erosion. The shared commitment among village residents and government agencies has greatly helped us in this learning process,” explained Dedi Dores Weiraso, Chairman of the Martewar Village Youth Council.

Through simple steps taken together, the people of Martewar Village believe that change can grow from awareness, a willingness to learn, and the courage to take action. Every mangrove planted is not only an effort to protect the coastline from erosion but also to safeguard the homes, livelihoods, and future of the next generation in Martewar Village. Amid the increasingly real threat of climate change, the roots of these mangroves symbolize the resilience of a community that has chosen to care for nature, so that nature may continue to provide protection for them. (tan)