IKN to Serve as Pilot Project for M4CR Mangrove Rehabilitation Programme
The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) region in East Kalimantan is set to become a pilot project for mangrove rehabilitation through the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) programme. The rehabilitation model developed in the new capital area is expected to be implemented in other regions in the future.
The Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, welcomed the implementation plan of the programme initiated by the Ministry of Forestry. Basuki stated that while the IKN Authority has already been conducting mangrove rehabilitation, involvement in the M4CR programme increases the scale of responsibility.
“We have actually already begun, but with the M4CR, the responsibility becomes much greater and must be successful,” said Basuki following his remarks at the M4CR Media Gathering in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, on Saturday (1/8/2026).
The M4CR programme is being implemented across four provinces: East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, Riau, and North Sumatra. The programme is not only aimed at replanting damaged mangroves but also at strengthening ecosystem governance and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
“Therefore, we are ready to serve as one of the example locations. Eventually, the prototype in IKN will be replicated for the regions of North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Riau, and North Sumatra,” Basuki added.
According to Basuki, the IKN Authority targets mangrove planting and recovery across an area of approximately 1,100 hectares. Of that total, around 150 hectares will be managed through the M4CR programme.
“The M4CR target extends until 2027, so we must work more quickly. IKN targets around 1,100 hectares for planting overall, with the M4CR portion being approximately 150 hectares,” said the former Minister of Public Works and Housing.
Basuki expressed optimism that the mangrove rehabilitation targets in the IKN area can be achieved on time. He noted that the success of the implementation in IKN is crucial, as the area will serve as a reference for other regions in developing coastal recovery models.
The Secretary of the Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Forestry, Muhammad Zainal Arifin, stated that IKN was intentionally chosen as an initial location so that the programme’s implementation could serve as a tangible example. The Ministry of Forestry stated that M4CR will run until 2027 and is directed towards strengthening coastal resilience against the impacts of climate change.