North Kalimantan Protects Mangrove Ecosystems Through Cross-Sector Collaboration
Tanjung Selor, North Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The North Kalimantan provincial government is working to protect mangrove ecosystems by strengthening cross-sector collaboration and promoting sustainable use.
“North Kalimantan is committed to protecting its mangrove ecosystems in collaboration with various sectors,” Governor Zainal A Paliwang said in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, on Wednesday.
He said the commitment was demonstrated, among other ways, by his attendance at an event marking 20 years of mangrove planting in the Mangrove Conservation Area in Tarakan on Tuesday (13 October).
Zainal praised the organisers, environmental activists, businesses and international partners that have contributed to mangrove conservation in North Kalimantan over the past two decades.
He said mangroves play an important role in protecting coastal areas from erosion and storms, absorbing carbon, maintaining water quality and providing habitat for a range of plant and animal species. The ecosystem is also a source of livelihood for coastal communities.
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed over the past 20 years to protecting mangroves. This kind of collaboration needs to be strengthened so that its benefits can be felt by both communities and the environment,” he said.
According to data presented at the 20th-anniversary event, mangrove ecosystems in North Kalimantan cover 326,396.37 hectares, across both other-use areas and forest areas. They are spread along the coasts of Bulungan Regency, Tarakan City, Nunukan Regency and Tana Tidung Regency, Zainal said.
He stressed that the 20-year anniversary of mangrove planting should not remain a ceremonial event, but should instead be used to assess conservation efforts and strengthen future measures, including rehabilitating degraded coastal areas and increasing community participation.
He also called for better mangrove management through cooperation between government, businesses, international partners, environmental activists and local communities. In addition to protecting the ecosystem, mangroves should be managed sustainably to generate economic benefits without damaging the environment.
One initiative that could be developed, the governor said, is community-based ecotourism, alongside processing mangrove products to create greater value for coastal residents.
“The North Kalimantan provincial government will continue to support mangrove conservation. We want this ecosystem to remain protected while also benefiting the community,” he said.
He expressed hope that the collaboration would continue so that North Kalimantan’s mangroves remain intact and provide ecological and economic benefits for future generations.
“I believe that if we sincerely protect the environment, nature will also benefit us. Let us work together to protect North Kalimantan’s mangroves for future generations,” he said.