Pasir Sakti's Story: Once Eroded, Now Mangroves Thrive and Provide Livelihoods
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The lush mangroves growing along the coast of Pasir Sakti, East Lampung, tell a story of a community’s long struggle against abrasion that once threatened their homes and livelihoods.
Samsudin, head of the Mutiara Hijau I Forest Farmers Group (KTH), still remembers when the abrasion reached its worst point in 1995. At that time, waves continuously eroded the land, forcing many residents, including himself, to relocate.
Drawing from that experience, Samsudin and other residents began planting mangroves independently in the early 2000s. Despite facing various limitations, they persisted in convincing the community that mangroves are protectors of the coast and pillars of life.
Gradually, the struggle bore fruit. The regrown mangroves were able to withstand abrasion, improve environmental quality, and revive the habitat of various marine biota.
The rehabilitation effort further developed with support from PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk (PTBA). According to Samsudin, the collaboration between his group and PTBA accelerated the ecosystem recovery that the community had been fighting for.
“Within about two years, we were able to plant tens of thousands of mangrove seedlings,” he said.
Most recently, PTBA distributed assistance of 10,000 mangrove seedlings to commemorate World Environment Day 2026. For Samsudin, this support encourages the community to continue preserving the coast.
“Thank you to Bukit Asam. I hope the company continues to exist and care for the environment, especially mangroves. Because mangroves cannot be harvested like other plants, but their benefits for life are enormous,” he said.
PTBA’s Sustainability Division Head, Dedy Saptaria Rosa, stated that the support for mangrove rehabilitation in Pasir Sakti is part of the company’s commitment to environmental preservation and community empowerment.
“For PTBA, sustainability is not only about protecting the environment but also ensuring that the community can feel the benefits of the conservation efforts. The mangrove rehabilitation programme in Pasir Sakti shows that collaboration between the company and the community can create a positive impact, both for the coastal ecosystem and the welfare of the residents,” Dedy said.
The area managed by KTH Mutiara Hijau I has also opened up economic opportunities for the community. The group, which consists of 69 members including 29 women, is active in seedling cultivation, planting, and the development of processed mangrove products such as syrup made from mangrove fruit.
“This mangrove planting activity has also boosted the local economy. Besides receiving wages for planting, members also earn additional income from seedling cultivation and selling processed mangrove products,” Samsudin added.
Beyond planting, KTH Mutiara Hijau I independently prepares seedlings to replace plants that do not grow optimally. For them, protecting the mangroves is a long-term commitment.
The collaboration between KTH Mutiara Hijau I and PT Bukit Asam proves that environmental restoration can be more effective when carried out together. In Pasir Sakti, the mangroves are now not only a natural fortress protecting the coast from erosion but also a source of livelihood that drives the local economy.
From an area once threatened with disappearance due to abrasion, a green mangrove forest has now grown back, providing protection for the coast and hope for future generations.