Tangerang Coast Strengthened with Mangrove Planting
As many as 1,000 mangrove seedlings were planted along the KSS Beach coastline in Sukawali Village, Pakuhaji District, Tangerang Regency, Banten, on Tuesday (7/7). The planting was intended to strengthen protection of the coastal area from abrasion whilst restoring the ecological function of the shoreline.
The conservation programme, carried out by PT Patra Jasa together with Lindungi Hutan, was also directed at improving coastal resilience to the impacts of climate change. Mangroves have a root system capable of retaining sediment, absorbing wave energy and helping to keep the coastline stable.
Beyond serving as a natural shield for coastal areas, mangrove forests act as a habitat and breeding ground for various marine biota, such as fish, prawns and shellfish. The presence of this vegetation also supports the sustainability of fisheries resources that are directly tied to the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Mangroves also have the ability to absorb and store carbon. For this reason, restoring mangrove areas is one of the steps that can support climate change mitigation, particularly in coastal regions vulnerable to damage from waves, rising sea levels and changing environmental conditions.
Kurnia Pinayungan, Finance and General Affairs Director of PT Patra Jasa, said the mangrove planting forms part of the company’s Social and Environmental Responsibility programme, which focuses on preserving coastal ecosystems.
“The mangrove planting is part of the implementation of the company’s Social and Environmental Responsibility in supporting the preservation of coastal ecosystems. We hope this step delivers long-term benefits for the community and future generations,” said Kurnia.
The activity involved 30 Patra Jasa employees as volunteers. The programme forms part of “Patra Jasa Lestari: Sustainable Mangrove Conservation for Coastal Area Resilience”.
The planting of the 1,000 seedlings is expected not to end with the planting itself, but to be followed up with maintenance and monitoring of the plants’ growth. Care is needed so that the seedlings can survive and develop into an effective mangrove area that protects the coast and sustains the local ecosystem.