REMBANG, CENTRAL JAVA — A total of 11 thousand mangrove tree seedlings were planted in the coastal areas of Central Java on Thursday (06/10/2022). Symbolically, mangrove planting is carried out at the Red Bridge of Mangrove Forests, Sawah Hamlet, Pasarbanggi Village, Rembang District, Rembang Regency, Central Java.
The majority of the population depends on livelihoods at sea. Pasarbangi Village is famous for its pond cultivation. However, with the increasing potential for abrasion disasters, it has even impacted some residents’ livelihoods. So, planting mangrove trees is an option to prevent the reduction of residents’ livelihoods due to abrasion.
“Some of the residents’ pond cultivation is affected by abrasion.
Eventually, the income generated from pond cultivation was affected and reduced. Because of the farm, there are two cycles of seasons —salt season and milkfish season. If there is no mangrove, the residents’ ponds will be destroyed. That’s why the community is trying to prevent abrasion and destruction of livelihoods,” explained Mochamad Sahal from the Rembang Non-Governmental Forestry Extension Officer (PKSM).
“The residents finally have the initiative to plant mangroves together and survive until now. The community is building together shoulder to shoulder. There appears to be tourism, research, and others. There is a homestay for college children who are KKN and others,” he continued.
One of the clear evidence of the benefits of this mangrove is the emergence of sales of marine products such as flower crabs, crabs, and oysters. According to Sahal, one of the oyster farmers, he could gain 5 (five) kilograms of oysters. Each kilogram of oysters is estimated at a selling price of up to Rp. 25,000.
“They (mangroves) can produce new tourism, namely what emerged from 2013, namely selling the results of mangrove (benefits) such as selling crabs, crabs or oysters. (Usually) mothers run oysters. One kilogram is priced at IDR 25,000. Meanwhile, in a day, you can get 5 (five) kilograms of oysters,” he concluded.
In disaster management programs, a concept called pentahelix plays a crucial role. Pentahelix itself refers to elements in society that participate in overcoming disasters. These elements are the participation of the government, society, the business world, academia, and the media.
This concept leads to the collaboration of the mangrove tree seedling program in abrasion disaster management in the Central Java region. In addition to providing benefits to disaster management, mangroves can also provide economic benefits. The presence of mangroves also provides an excellent environmental ecosystem for the sustainability of living things. Mangroves are a place to live for marine life.
A total of 11 thousand mangrove tree seedlings are a form of collaboration between Dompet Dhuafa and BPBD Rembang. Dompet Dhuafa donated 5000 mangrove tree seedlings.
“Through the collaboration established between Dompet Dhuafa and the local government, Dompet Dhuafa donated 5000 mangrove tree seedlings in the coastal areas of Central Java. This is one of our commitments in reducing disaster risk or anticipating abrasion disasters,” said Haryo Mojopahit, Chief Executive of Disaster Management Center (DMC) Dompet Dhuafa.
Based on the Indonesian disaster risk index published by BNPB in 2021, Rembang Regency is one of the districts with a moderate level of disaster risk. The area’s topography and geographical conditions in Rembang can potentially be prone to disasters in 14 sub-districts.
Rembang Regency has various disaster threats ranging from floods, landslides, flash floods, tidal floods, and extreme weather to abrasion.
“One form that we need to appreciate, this planting is a form of mitigation. And it does not rule out the possibility that there are economic (benefits) here. For example (in the field of) fisheries can benefit the community. This is also a form of increasing (potential) tourism,” said Prasinta Dwi, Deputy for Prevention of BNPB, after symbolizing mangrove planting.
This mangrove tree planting agenda is one of the agenda activities at the “National Jamboree of Disaster Management Volunteers,” which will be held starting from Wednesday (05/10/2022) – Friday (07/10/2022).