Peak of World Mangrove Day Commemoration Held in Bali
The peak commemoration of World Mangrove Day was held in Bali on Sunday (26/7/2026). Approximately 1,000 people celebrated the day at the G20 Wantilan of Tanah Kilap Temple, South Denpasar District, Denpasar City. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasised that mangroves hold strategic value, not only as protectors of coastal ecosystems but also as a source of livelihood for communities.
“Mangroves are a source of income for fishermen and coastal communities and are the main pillar of marine resources. Indonesia has about 23 per cent of the world’s mangroves, yet every year it faces a degradation rate of around 52,000 hectares, not including areas already in critical condition,” he said.
The celebration was attended by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Deputy Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency Rohmat Marzuki, Bali Governor Wayan Koster, officials representing the Bali Regional Police and the IX/Udayana Regional Military Command, Denpasar Deputy Mayor I Kadek Arya Wibawa, students from primary schools to universities, local groups and communities concerned with the environment, and various other elements of society.
Trenggono added that the success of restoring mangrove ecosystems would have a broad impact on environmental sustainability while improving the welfare of coastal communities. “The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is committed to protecting and improving mangrove ecosystems. A healthy coast will give birth to a prosperous community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki appreciated the cross-ministerial, local government, and community collaboration in protecting Indonesia’s mangrove ecosystems. According to him, Indonesia has approximately 3.45 million hectares of mangrove forests, which is a great mandate to be managed sustainably. “Mangroves are a natural fortress against abrasion, a pollutant filter, an oxygen producer, and a source of income for coastal communities. Indonesia has a strategic role in protecting this ecosystem, and shared commitment is the key to its success,” he said.
Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency Jumhur Hidayat also stressed that mangrove conservation is an important part of efforts to maintain the sustainability of human life and the environment. “Preserving the environment means also preserving humans and their culture. All relevant ministries share the same commitment to improve and protect mangrove ecosystems. Today we are not only celebrating, but proving it through real action by planting trees together with thousands of participants,” he said.
He also highlighted the ability of mangroves to absorb carbon, which is much higher than terrestrial plants. “Mangroves can absorb carbon four to five times greater than ordinary trees. Planting one hectare of mangroves is equivalent to the carbon absorption benefits of about four hectares of terrestrial plants,” he explained.
The 2026 World Mangrove Day commemoration in Bali was realised through real action by planting thousands of mangrove seedlings in several locations. In the Batu Lumbang area, 15,000 mangrove seedlings were planted involving students, university students, environmental enthusiast communities, ministries, local governments, and various institutions.
Symbolically, Governor Koster together with the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Denpasar Deputy Mayor I Kadek Arya Wibawa, and central government officials planted mangroves in the Batu Lumbang area, which is also a mangrove nursery centre.
Koster affirmed the Bali Provincial Government’s commitment to expanding mangrove areas through a routine monthly planting movement involving students, the business sector, communities, and various elements of society. He said the mangrove planting movement is in line with the Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali development vision, particularly in efforts to increase forest areas and cover as part of maintaining Bali’s natural balance.
“This movement is in line with the Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali vision to increase forest areas and forest cover. One of the efforts is the expansion of mangrove areas. Currently, in Bali there are more than 3,000 hectares of mangroves spread across Badung Regency, Denpasar City, Jembrana, Klungkung, and Buleleng,” said Koster.
According to Koster, mangrove conservation efforts will not stop at the momentum of the World Mangrove Day commemoration but will be developed into a sustainable movement carried out routinely every month.