Mempawah - A total of approximately 150 people from various backgrounds planted mangrove plants in an abrasion-prone location close to plantations and residential areas, Senggiring Hamlet, Bakau Kecil Village, East Mempawah Subdistrict, Mempawah Regency on Sunday (6/3).
2,500 mangrove seedlings were planted to restore the function of mangrove forests and green the coastal areas of Mempawah. The planting was carried out by Earth Hour Potianak Community, Indofood, Pontianak Indie Clothing, KHAMBEC70, FIKRI MIPA UNTAN, OI Mempawah, RAPI (Radio Antar Penduduk Indonesia) and the people of Senggiring Hamlet.

"The planting this time is the third phase of a total of 10,000 seedlings, which was carried out by the environmental awareness community group 'Mempawah Mangrove Conservation' (MMC) with support from WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program as well as the hamlet and village governments, including the local community," said MMC Coordinator Fajar at the planting site.

In the last three years, the attention of the government of Bakau Kecil Village, East Mempawah District, has focused on mangrove restoration activities, especially in Senggiring Hamlet. This was done because the eruption of sea water has threatened the existence of ponds and gardens of residents. The distance from the beach to the settlement is only 500 meters. Not only supporting replanting efforts, the Bakau Kecil Village Government recently issued Village Regulation (Perdes) Number 2 of 2016 concerning Marine Environmental Management and Mangrove Forest and Land Rehabilitation.

"Over the years, the level of abrasion in Senggiring Hamlet has become increasingly worrying because it has approached gardens and residential areas. Therefore, we, the village government, really hope for support from all parties to help in reclaiming mangrove forests that are currently damaged," said Bakau Kecil Village Secretary, Ahmad.

Marine Biodiversity Conservation Officer, WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program, Hendro Susanto stated that this year WWF began working with 4 groups in 4 locations in the north coast area, one of which is in Senggiring Hamlet.

"We hope that in the future, the green belt along the coast from Pontianak to the northern region is covered with mangrove vegetation. Reflecting on the story that happened in the Pemangkat area, Sambas Regency, the community can lose up to 30 meters of land per year. If not addressed by replanting, it could be that Senggiring Hamlet will experience the same thing again and that is what we are trying to do so that the coast in this area is green and sustainable again," he added.

Planting will be carried out again at the end of this month. Furthermore, regular mangrove monitoring of the seedlings that have been planted will be carried out by MMC. This aims to see the extent of the progress of the planting that has been done, including to see damaged or dead plants, so that replanting can be done immediately.

For more information, please contact:
Hendro Susanto
Marine Biodiversity Conservation Officer
WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program
PHONE: +62 852 52108113
Email: hsusanto@wwf.or.id