Village Mothers of Enggros Guard the Mangrove Forest

Jayapura (ANTARA) - The mangrove forests scattered along the coastline of Kampung Enggros, also known as Injros, in the city of Jayapura, hold great significance for the women in the area. There, the friendly housewives, commonly referred to as mama-mama, spend their time after completing household chores. They search for fish or various other marine products such as prawns, crabs, and an array of shellfish in those mangrove forests. This is why the mangrove forest is an invaluable treasure to them. Kampung Enggros, located in Teluk Youtefa, is home to around 371 households. The area can be reached by vehicle up to the beachfront. From the beach, the journey continues by motorboat for about 10 minutes, navigating through the mangrove areas along the coastal shoreline to reach the village. The village, inhabited by 571 souls, can be explored on foot, except for a few separated houses that can only be accessed by motorboat or paddleboat. Enter Petronela Merauje, a woman who serves as an environmental observer there. She fully understands that the mangrove forest area is crucial to be maintained and preserved by the mama-mama of Kampung Enggros, Abepura District, City of Jayapura, Papua. This native Enggros woman tirelessly encourages her peers to join in protecting and planting every available plot of land along the beach with mangroves. These plants not only safeguard the village from abrasion but also provide income for the mama-mama who gather various marine products within the mangrove forest area. She represents the women there who can fluently recount how the mangrove forest must be conserved. In the mangrove forest, the mama-mama of Enggros interact. Besides being a place to gather various marine products, the mangrove forest also serves as a spot to meet, chat, and share stories about all sorts of things. “Even there, we sometimes chat and laugh heartily without fear of anyone overhearing except us,” said Petronela, who is 45 years old. In Enggros, the mangrove forest is a women-only area. Men are not permitted to enter for any reason. Only women are allowed to enter to gather marine products, and of course, while chatting freely without disturbance from the men. This also serves as special motivation for the mama-mama there to preserve the mangrove forest area. They want the mangrove forest to endure for their children and grandchildren. “So that our daughters can continue the tradition of gathering marine products in the mangrove forest in the future,” said Petronela. Planting seedlings