The KKN-PPM team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the KKN team from Muhammadiyah University of Buton (UMB), Southeast Sulawesi, carried out a project to build environmental resilience in the coastal areas of Terapung Village, Mawasangka District, Central Buton Regency.
The project involved planting mangroves with the participation of the local community on Sunday (Jan. 26).
The mangrove planting initiative, part of efforts to address the impacts of climate change, was attended by Arman, a local figure from Terapung Village known as a researcher and botanist.
Both students and the community eagerly anticipated his presence as he provided direct support and technical guidance.
“Of course, his presence is to guide us in the mangrove planting process, making it more effective and sustainable,” said Fauzan Aldi, a member of the UGM team from the Agrocomplex cluster.
Aldi explained that the UGM Agrocomplex team’s observations revealed that the mangrove condition along the coast of Terapung Village faces serious challenges and is at risk of environmental degradation.
Although various parties have carried out mangrove planting before, many plants have not survived.
“Many plants failed to survive due to improper methods, such as polybags being left in the plants. This caused many mangroves to fail to grow and become damaged,” Aldi explained.
For this activity, the UGM student team used a more planned approach to replace damaged mangroves and add new seedlings. The aim was to restore the coastal ecosystem and protect the area from abrasion.
This activity also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents, particularly the younger generation.
Children from Terapung Village who participated in the mangrove planting activity received direct education on the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems for the future.
“We ensured that all seedlings were planted without polybags, and the planting areas were adjusted to the characteristics of the local coastal environment,” said Aldi.
Arman appreciated the efforts of the UGM students and thanked the UMB team for joining this activity.
“This initiative will leave a lasting legacy. Five to ten years from now, the mangroves planted today will become a habitat for various marine life in Terapung Village,” said Arman.
With great optimism, Arman hopes that the mangrove planting activity will be the first step in building a community-based environmental resilience system in Terapung Village.
He also hopes that this approach can serve as a model to be implemented in other coastal areas.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photo by: UGM KKN-PPM Buton Team