OKI, May 15, 2023 - The Indonesian National Army (TNI) carried out mangrove planting activities which were carried out simultaneously across Indonesia. The peak event, which was held at Angke Tourism Park, North Jakarta, was attended by President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
"We have the largest mangrove forest in the world, with a total of 3.3 million hectares areas that we must take care of and maintain. If there are any critical areas, we must replant the mangroves so that our mangrove forests will not be damaged," Jokowi said.
According to Jokowi, mangrove forests are important especially to restore the habitat of crabs, fish, monitor lizards, monkeys and birds.
Jokowi also conveyed that planting mangrove forests is critical to protect Indonesia's coasts from climate change. When sea water rises or there are big waves due to climate change, the mangrove forests manage to withstand the water and big waves.
TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono emphasized that mangrove forests provide a strong natural coastal defense, as Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country.
"Our national security needs to be improved with an integration, because threats can come from multiple directions – including from the sea. Therefore, it is very important to continue improve our defence system through mangrove planting," Yudo added.
Mangrove Planting in OKI
Some of the planting locations were the East Coast, Sungai Batang Village, and Simpang Tiga Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. There were some parties involved, including Kodim 0402/OKI and Korem 044/Gapo, TNI / Polri, OKI Regional Government, surrounding communities, and APP Sinar Mas through its business unit PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills and its supply partner PT Bumi Andalas Permai.
Kasiter Korem 044/Gapo, Colonel Arm Kusdi revealed, "From the total 256 hectares area spread across 5 points, 206 hectares have been planted with a total of 233,575 mangrove stems. Today, we are planting 10,000 mangrove stems in 10 hectares area. This event was successfully held due to good cooperation from all parties involved, including PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills and PT BAP, as well as the local community.
"We would like to thank you to everyone involved in the mangrove planting activities, including PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills, PT BAP, and surrounding communities. I, behalf Kodim 0402/OKI Korem 044/Gapo, sincerely hope that we can continue synergizing with all components of the nation. Lastly, thank you to PT OKI Pulp & Paper and PT BAP for the assistance," added Colonel Arm Kusdi.
In a separate place, APP Sinar Mas Director Suhendra Wiriadinata conveyed, "This mangrove restoration collaboration program is our effort to support sustainable development through activities that have a positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities.”
Suhendra conveyed that this activity aims to support the government in mangrove restoration in order to reduce carbon emissions through the Folu Net Sink 2030. Not only saving marine ecosystems and resisting abrasion, mangroves also have great potential in carbon sequestration. "We believe that every step, no matter how small, makes an important contribution towards this goal," Suhendra added.
Not only PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills and PT BAP, but another business unit of APP Sinar Mas, PT Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper (IKPP) also supports DKI Jakarta Provincial BKSDA through Strengthening the Function of Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary as the center of Environmental Education and Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration to support the Integrated Management of Mangrove Ecosystems in Jakarta with a restoration target of 500 hectares. In addition, PT IKPP Tangerang has planted 178 thousand Mangrove seedlings spread across Greater Tangerang, and PT IKPP Serang has also planted 120 thousand Mangrove seedlings on the north coast of Serang Regency.