A team of UGM KKN students planted hundreds of mangrove seedlings in Semanting Bay, Derawan Island, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province.
This mangrove planting initiative aims to prevent coastal abrasion and erosion while preserving the marine ecosystem in Derawan waters. The UGM KKN students also carried out a beach clean-up activity in collaboration with the local community and various stakeholders.
Devina Asria, the Coordinator of the UGM Derawan Menawan team, stated that this mangrove planting activity is part of the students’ environmental awareness program through mangrove conservation.
“What we are doing here can inspire other regions to develop community-based and sustainable tourism conservation programs,” said Asria in a statement sent to reporters on Monday (Aug. 5).
According to Asria, the mangrove planting was conducted to commemorate World Mangrove Day, with the theme “Collaboration in Harmony, Inspiring Sustainability, Thriving Mangroves.”
The celebration of World Mangrove Day involved cooperation with several parties, including the Semanting Bay Mangrove Management Team (TPM), Kagama Baru, KPHP West Berau, students from Mulawarman University, and the local community in Semanting Bay Village, along with several other entities.
Two hundred sixty-seven mangrove seedlings were planted and donated by KPHP West Berau to the Semanting Bay Village Government as part of their commitment to mangrove conservation.
Asria noted that the planting was possible through collaboration between Kagama Berau, PT. Berau Coal, and KPHP West Berau.
“Collaboration with various parties can foster synergy and cooperation in preserving the mangroves on Derawan Island,” she explained.
In addition to planting mangrove seedlings, the KKN students also screened a documentary film discussing the history and philosophy of Semanting Bay Mangrove Ecotourism, along with exciting information and facts about Mangrove Ecotourism.
The event was enlivened by performances from local Berau musicians such as Risalah Band and Zaiky, who played the Sape instrument, and painting and drawing competitions for children in Semanting Bay Village.
The Head of Semanting Bay Village, Abdul Gani, welcomed the mangrove conservation program in his area, as it helps foster a commitment among the younger generation in his village to preserve the existing mangrove forests.
“They can safeguard the mangrove ecosystem across the nation for a better future, as mangroves have countless benefits for the sustainability of the natural environment in our archipelago,” Gani concluded.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson