Author: Tutus Wijanarko (Community Right Based Management Officer, WWF-Indonesia Lesser Sunda Project)

In this modern era, the role of women in life cannot be underestimated. The combination of independence, intelligence, and intuition possessed by women has given birth to many works that contribute to civilization, ranging from the world of politics, business, to the world of conservation. All of this is a place for women to get the same rights and access as men in working and voicing inspiration and aspirations.

Conservation, a global issue that has been discussed by everyone lately. From forestry, marine and fisheries, to climate change. The world conservation movement has not escaped the contribution of women. One of them is a mangrove conservation group in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, called the Friendship Love Group (KCP), which makes efforts to save the environment due to coastal abrasion around their residence. The rescue efforts are carried out through mangrove nurseries and rehabilitation to maintain the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem in their area. The group, which was established on January 27, 2008, is one of the community groups assisted by WWF-Indonesia in the Sunda Banda Seascape. With 12 members, of which eight are women, KCP is chaired by a 'mama' named Martha Lotang.

Being dominated by women does not necessarily make this community group work without enthusiasm. Every day they work and share tasks. Starting with looking for mangrove seeds around the beach, sowing and caring for the seeds in bedeng (nursery), planting, to embroidering mangroves. Indirectly, KCP seemed to fully understand the meaning of conservation itself, namely efforts to protect, preserve and utilize. The beach in front of their house, which was affected by sea abrasion, has gradually begun to grow mangrove saplings that they plant regularly. Small fish, crabs, shrimps have started to come to the stems of the mangrove saplings. Mangroves are one of the ecosystems that function as a place to find food, nurture, and spawn for marine biota. In addition to conducting mangrove nursery and rehabilitation activities, KCP is also often involved in various environmental conservation campaigns in Alor, from schools to the government. Their technical ability in carrying out mangrove rehabilitation makes many people moved and want to take part in efforts to save the coastal environment. The great interest of the Alor community has encouraged them to assist KCP in conducting mangrove nurseries and planting directly.

The success of the KCP made the local community at Buyungta Beach, Kabola Village, also moved and called to take similar action, by establishing the Jikengwar community group. In the local language in Alor, 'Jikengwar' means spring water. Jikengwar is a mangrove conservation group that was born from the 'womb' of KCP on February 1, 2015. This group is also chaired by a woman named Mama Ati. With 17 members and also dominated by women. Currently, Jikengwar focuses on mangrove nursery efforts in the beds they made.

The efforts made by KCP and Jikengwar in mangrove conservation in Alor are concrete actions of the community in supporting the protection of the Pantar Strait Aquatic Nature Reserve (SAP), which in June 2015 was designated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries as a Regional Aquatic Conservation Area. One form of support provided by WWF-Indonesia related to the protection of this area is by providing assistance and strengthening the capacity of the two community groups, both for organizational management and technical matters in mangrove rehabilitation.

"So, Mama now is not just cooking ooo. Mama now su cool-cool, dorang su want to keep nature by planting Tongke (Mangrove)!" (Meaning: ""So, Mama now su not only can cook. Mama is now cool, they want to protect nature by planting mangroves."")

Happy International Women's Day!