Environment Minister Intensifies Mangrove Planting to Address Environmental Challenges

Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Moh Jumhur Hidayat, stated that he will intensify mangrove planting efforts to address environmental challenges. “We will intensify the planting of mangroves in various regions, and now we are in Bali,” he said in Denpasar on Wednesday. The minister noted that today’s environmental issues differ from those of 20 to 50 years ago, where the disturbances from environmental impacts can be felt directly. “Our disrespect towards the environment has begun to bear fruit; we in Sumatra suddenly experienced flash floods, and 80 percent of these are hydrometeorological disasters, caused by our treatment of nature,” he stated. In an effort to intensify mangrove planting, Minister Jumhur has made Bali a focal point. On the day, he joined 1,000 personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, and environmental activists to plant 3,000 mangrove seedlings at the Mangrove Arboretum Park. “On 28 July, I will come here again with friends from labour unions and others to plant mangroves, and we will centre it in Bali for International Mangrove Day. I will return with an even larger event, perhaps inviting several ministers to jointly reinvigorate the environment and mangroves,” said Jumhur. The Environment Minister chose Bali after seeing the Island of the Gods’ success in managing its environment, noting that the city no longer has unmanaged waste. For the Province of Bali, he believes it only needs to ensure the distribution of processed waste products, whether as fuel or fertiliser, while the mangrove planting effort is on the right track. By demonstrating environmental concern, the Minister is confident that Bali’s tourism will advance further, as the global community is currently sympathetic to regions that respect the environment. Bali Governor Wayan Koster told Minister Jumhur that mangrove planting is a priority programme for the Bali Provincial Government in dealing with climate challenges, as well as to meet forest cover area requirements according to ministry regulations. “What we hope for is that nature becomes more sustainable and makes our lives healthier. Therefore, we periodically carry out tree planting once a month, including planting mangroves throughout the Bali region, in order to meet the minimum 30 percent forest area coverage,” he said. At the mangrove planting site, Governor Koster reported that the area previously suffered damage on about 18 hectares, but since 2020 it has been continuously handled, leaving only 2 hectares yet to be planted. Beyond environmental protection, the governor stated these actions are also for the benefit of high-quality and sustainable tourism.