Central Java Steps Up Mangrove Planting Ahead of Giant Sea Wall Construction

“The President has instructed BOPPJ to optimise ecological protection and the development of local economies along the north coast. Semarang, Demak and Kendal are among the areas to be managed,” Fadil said in a written statement on Thursday (8 October 2026).

He made the remarks during an audience with Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi in Semarang on Thursday (8 October).

Fadil said community and local group involvement was important in safeguarding coastal areas. “The Giant Sea Wall, in its broader concept, is about empowerment and community participation,” he said.

The meeting also discussed good practices in mangrove planting and management in Central Java. One example is the work of Mohammad Bangkit, a youth leader from Brebes regency, who mobilised the Kaliwlingi Mangrove Forest Ecotourism Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) in Kaliwlingi village, Brebes district, Brebes regency.

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said BOPPJ’s planned measures were in line with the province’s Mageri Segoro programme, which has been implemented along the entire Central Java coast.

Central Java has a coastline measuring 1,127.85 kilometres: 651.47 kilometres along the north coast (Pantura), 343.50 kilometres along the south coast (Pansela), and 132.88 kilometres around Karimunjawa.

Coastal areas need to be protected because they are directly connected to settlements, fish and shrimp farms, fisheries, industrial zones, infrastructure and people’s livelihoods.

“BOPPJ’s programme is certainly in line with Central Java’s. We have the Mageri Segoro programme, which involves all elements of society,” Luthfi said.

According to Luthfi, the Pantura faces complex challenges. These include not only abrasion and erosion, which are pushing the coastline inland, but also flooding, tidal inundation, land subsidence and sedimentation. Protecting the north coast therefore requires an integrated approach.

For the long term, the government has prepared plans for a Giant Sea Wall running along Java’s north coast, which is included in the national strategic projects list.

In Central Java, the sea wall is planned to extend for about 274.7 kilometres, passing through Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan, Batang, Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Jepara, Pati and Rembang.

“Before the Giant Sea Wall is built, we hope communities will already be accustomed to planting mangroves, casuarina trees, coconut palms and other vegetation. These early prevention efforts should be put in place before construction begins,” he said.