BNI Rehabilitates 50 Hectares of Mangrove in Banyuwangi
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) has strengthened its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development through a mangrove forest regeneration programme in Teluk Pangpang, Banyuwangi. In line with Earth Day on 22 April, the programme has successfully rehabilitated 50 hectares of critical land while providing economic benefits to around 5,000 coastal communities.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo explained that the Teluk Pangpang area is a coastal region with important ecological functions that had previously suffered degradation due to environmental pressures and land-use changes. “BNI’s concrete actions in the area represent the company’s commitment to restoring the ecological functions of mangroves while creating sustainable economic value that directly benefits the surrounding community,” he stated in a written release.
The programme, implemented through the BNI Berbagi initiative, emphasises a collaborative approach involving local communities, coastal monitoring groups, and local government. Activities include planting mangroves in affected areas, maintenance for three years, and community-based area development.
As a result, the rehabilitated mangrove area now functions again as a natural coastal barrier capable of reducing risks of abrasion and tidal flooding, particularly for residents in Dusun Tegalpare. In addition to ecological benefits, the programme opens new economic opportunities through the development of ecotourism, sokah crab cultivation, mangrove nurseries, and derivative products.
From an economic perspective, BNI has recorded significant added value. Based on a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study, every Rp1 invested is expected to generate benefits of Rp3.35 by the end of 2025, projected to increase to Rp7.23 in the 2026–2027 period as the mangrove ecosystem develops. “This achievement demonstrates that a well-designed sustainability programme can deliver real multiplicative impacts for the community and the environment,” said Okki.
BNI views investments in the environmental sector as not only impacting ecosystem preservation but also strengthening the economic resilience of coastal communities. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand similar initiatives by involving more stakeholders to increase the scale and impact of the programmes.
Through these steps, BNI affirms that environmental preservation can go hand in hand with improving community welfare, while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development.