Ministry of Forestry engages communities to rehabilitate 1,276 hectares of mangrove in Kutai Kartanegara
The Forestry Ministry is continuing to accelerate mangrove rehabilitation in East Kalimantan by involving communities as the main implementers at the site level.
Through the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) programme, the Forestry Ministry has signed 2026 Self-Managed Mangrove Planting Cooperation Agreements (SPKS) with 24 community groups (Pokmas) in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, to rehabilitate 1,276 hectares of mangrove area.
The signing of the SPKS marks an important stage in the implementation of the M4CR mangrove rehabilitation programme in East Kalimantan and signals the readiness of community groups to enter the planting phase in accordance with the agreed work plans.
Prior to reaching the signing stage, the community groups and relevant parties underwent a series of preparatory processes, ranging from field pre-conditioning that considered biophysical and social aspects to the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (Padiatapa).
These stages were carried out to ensure that mangrove rehabilitation activities can be implemented according to the characteristics and needs of each location, while guaranteeing the active involvement of communities in the implementation process.
Asman Aziz, PPIU Manager of M4CR East Kalimantan, said the signing of the SPKS was the result of a preparatory process carried out in stages together with the communities.
“After going through a long process, starting from pre-conditioning in the field, both from biophysical and social aspects, as well as the Padiatapa process, we have now entered the SPKS signing stage. This SPKS serves as the basis for the community to carry out mangrove planting work,” said Asman.
With the signing of the SPKS, the community groups receiving the self-managed contracts are now responsible for carrying out planting activities in accordance with the agreed provisions.
The implementation of the work has a period of 90 days from the date the agreement is signed.
Before the cooperation was formally bound, negotiations between the parties were conducted first to align the work plans with needs on the ground. The process was also carried out to ensure that financing complied with the provisions and maximum cost limits set by the government.
After all parties reached an agreement, the cooperation was then formalised through the SPKS as the legal basis for implementing the activities.
This mechanism is part of efforts to ensure that mangrove rehabilitation proceeds in an orderly, transparent and accountable manner.
In addition to preparing technical and administrative aspects, the Forestry Ministry through the M4CR programme has also strengthened the capacity of the community groups involved.
A total of 24 Pokmas received briefings on the mechanisms for implementing activities and accountability for self-managed grant funds, including an understanding of the legal aspects of activity management.
The briefing on legal aspects was delivered by Muara Badak Police Chief First Inspector Danang Wahyu Rahardika to strengthen the community groups’ understanding of their responsibilities in implementing activities and managing funds.
The material is also expected to prevent potential legal violations during the implementation of the mangrove rehabilitation programme.
The planting activities with community groups are part of the M4CR mangrove rehabilitation target in East Kalimantan, which in 2026 is targeted to reach 6,486 hectares.
In its implementation, the community is one of the main actors directly involved, from the preparation stage to the implementation of rehabilitation at the site level.
Overall, 38 community groups are planned to be involved in the implementation of M4CR mangrove rehabilitation in East Kalimantan throughout 2026.
To date, two community groups have completed the SPKS process and are currently carrying out mangrove planting on an area of 151 hectares.
Meanwhile, the signing of the SPKS with 24 Pokmas on 27 August 2026 enables the start of rehabilitation implementation on an area of 1,276 hectares, with work responsibility resting with the community groups receiving the self-managed contracts.
The involvement of communities in the programme is not only aimed at meeting the target area for mangrove rehabilitation, but also at building a sense of ownership and increasing community responsibility in maintaining the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
Through a participatory approach that involves communities from the preparation stage to implementation, mangrove rehabilitation is expected to provide ecological benefits while strengthening the role of communities in protecting and preserving mangrove ecosystems sustainably.