Denpasar Mayor Stresses Cross-Sector Collaboration to Protect Coastal Areas

Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara has emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in preserving coastal areas for the sake of sustainable livelihoods and tourism. He made the statement during a mangrove planting action involving 3,000 seedlings at the Mangrove Arboretum Park in Pedungan on Wednesday, joined by Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Mohamad Jumhur Hidayat, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster. He described the mangrove planting as a tangible act of collaboration among various parties to protect the environment and honour nature. According to him, coastal conservation cannot be undertaken by a single party alone but requires sustainable synergy between the government, the community, educational institutions, and environmental groups. ‘This activity is a concrete manifestation of our shared commitment to preserving the coastal environment, while simultaneously strengthening cross-sector synergy in climate change mitigation efforts and the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem as a legacy for future generations,’ he stated. He noted that the seriousness of various parties in safeguarding nature is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development. ‘A serious commitment to collaborating to honour the earth must be carried out by various sectors. Of course, the efforts made by local government ranks across Bali Island need to be appreciated,’ he said. He added that a well-maintained environment also holds the potential to enhance Bali’s tourism appeal. Currently, he noted, the global community increasingly values regions with a strong commitment to environmental protection. ‘The hope is that tourism in Bali will continue to grow through a well-maintained environment and ecosystem,’ he stated. Bali Governor Wayan Koster explained that the 18-hectare Mangrove Arboretum Park area had previously suffered damage due to pollution, necessitating a phased rehabilitation effort. Since 2020, mangrove planting has been carried out across 16 hectares, while the remaining two hectares will be completed in stages until the entire area is fully restored. He explained that the mangrove rehabilitation programme is part of a commitment to making Bali an environmentally friendly region with a healthy ecosystem. ‘This is concrete action to make Bali’s ecosystem healthy and of high quality,’ he said. Through the planting of 3,000 mangrove seedlings, the government hopes that Bali’s coastal areas will be increasingly protected from the threat of abrasion, capable of absorbing carbon emissions, and become a habitat that supports the future sustainability of the coastal ecosystem.