World Mangrove Day 2026: BRI Peduli Involves Local Farmers to Plant 24,000 Mangroves to Restore Coastal Ecosystem

To commemorate World Mangrove Day, marked every 26 July, BRI Peduli — the umbrella for the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk — has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability through the planting of 24,000 mangrove trees.

The activity was carried out in the coastal area of Sompek Hamlet, Tanjungpakis Village, Pakisjaya Subdistrict, Karawang Regency, West Java, and involved the local farmers’ group, the Cemara Laut Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Group.

The programme aims to restore coastal areas affected by abrasion and build natural barriers to prevent erosion, tidal waves and seawater intrusion, while optimising the mangrove’s function as an effective blue carbon sink in support of national climate targets and the application of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

In addition, the activity is expected to safeguard and enhance the sustainability of local fishermen’s and pond farmers’ livelihoods through direct involvement in the planting and maintenance activities.

For information, mangrove planting in the Karawang coastal area is part of the BRI Menanam – Grow & Green programme run by BRI Peduli, under which 99,500 mangrove and coastal casuarina trees have so far been planted in Muara Gembong, Tuban, Rote Ndao and Tanjung Pakis, Karawang.

Overall, the programme has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 55.84 tonnes (55,846.61 kg), underscoring BRI’s commitment to applying ESG principles while making a tangible contribution to the restoration of Indonesia’s coastal ecosystems.

Atam, chairman of the Cemara Laut Farmers’ Group in Karawang, said the collaboration with BRI has strengthened the community’s spirit of mutual cooperation in protecting the coastal environment. Through the BRI Peduli – Grow & Green programme, his group has not only received support for mangrove planting activities but has also become increasingly motivated to continue caring for the mangroves already planted.

For Atam, mangroves are not merely plants growing along the shore. Their presence serves as a natural shield capable of reducing abrasion, dampening ocean waves, and providing habitat for a variety of coastal biota that support the lives of fishing communities.

“I have lived here for quite a long time. In the past, the waves felt small. Over time, they have come closer and grown larger. So for us, mangroves are important because they prevent abrasion along the coast, dampen ocean waves and protect marine life,” said Atam.