Mangrove to be replanted along coast

Mangrove to be replanted along coast

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

Stunned by the impact of the deadly tsunami in Aceh, Minister of
Forestry Malam Sambat Kaban is planning to reforest 600,000
hectares of depleted mangrove forest throughout the nation over
the next five years.

The program is aimed at mitigating destruction by tsunamis in
coastal areas.

"The 600,000 hectares of depleted land are 20 percent of three
million hectares of mangrove forest throughout the nation, mostly
located along the north coast of Java and the west coast of
Aceh," Kaban said during a planting ceremony on Mount Sumbul,
Sumedang, West Java.

A mangrove forest acts as a natural barrier between seawater
and residential areas, as experience in other countries has
shown.

"The tragedy in Aceh has reminded us that we should introduced
precautionary measures in order not to let it happen again," said
Kaban.

He said that until recently, regreening programs were mainly
conducted along riverbanks and in forests. "But, the deadly
impact of the tsunami has opened our hearts and minds that the
mangrove forests should also be regreened," said Kaban.

Kaban said his ministry had earmarked Rp 800 billion (US$88.8
million) for the mangrove forest regreening program. More money
will be channeled to the program if needed.

"We are still calculating precisely how much is needed to
complete the program. We expect it will be around Rp 800
billion," said Kaban.