Planting the Future on the Coast of Lamaru, East Kalimantan

The coast of East Kalimantan, with all its charm and economic potential, harbours significant vulnerability to abrasion and climate change. Mangroves are no longer merely decorative shoreline plants, but rather the lifeblood of coastal defence. The East Kalimantan Regional Police demonstrated their commitment to the future of the coastline by planting 5,000 mangrove trees, distributed across the shores of East Kalimantan. This latest planting took place at Lamaru Beach, Balikpapan, on Thursday. East Kalimantan Police Chief, Inspector General Endar Priantoro, Commander of the VI/Mulawarman Military Command, Major General Krido Pramono, East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud, alongside volunteers and coastal residents, planted the mangrove trees together. Inspector General Endar Priantoro stated that this action was not merely about celebrating the 80th anniversary of his institution, but about repaying an ecological debt to the future. “Planting mangroves is not just planting trees. This is an effort to safeguard the future, protect the coast, preserve the ecosystem, and simultaneously bequeath a better environment to the next generation,” Endar said. Mangroves, Endar noted, are unsung heroes. Their roots, gripping the coastal soil tightly, work 24 hours a day as a natural fortress against the onslaught of waves. Above the surface, their leaves absorb carbon; while underwater, their tangled roots become a safe home for fish, crabs, and marine biota that are the livelihood of traditional fishermen. “Our hope is that this activity can benefit the marine ecosystem and the community. Because these mangroves are a habitat for animals like crabs, shellfish, and other marine life that can provide economic benefits for fishermen,” he said. East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud stated that the act of planting mangroves is a long-term investment for the future, as their primary functions include preventing abrasion and erosion, as well as high carbon absorption. “We in the East Kalimantan Provincial Government appreciate this activity. Mangroves have a great many benefits, such as providing a habitat for marine biota and acting as a natural barrier to protect settlements from disasters,” he said. According to Rudy, mangrove forests can be preserved if managed with care. Furthermore, the advancement of environment-based ecotourism and the recovery of fish populations will gradually boost the economy of coastal communities. “Let us together protect nature, which is the source of our life. What we do today is a long-term investment for our children and grandchildren, and tangible proof of our care for the earth we inhabit,” he said.