The Department of Conservation of Forest and Ecotourism(KSHE), of FAHUTAN IPB Celebrated Wetland Day
The Department of Conservation of Forest and Ecotourism(KSHE), of the Faculty of Forestry, of Bogor Agricultural University (FAHUTAN IPB), organized the scientific meeting to ommemorateWorld Wetlands Day on the 2nd of February. The theme of the workshop was on "Konservasi Ekosistem Mangrove sebagai Sistem Penyangga Kehidupan (Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem as Life Buffer System)", this special event was carried out in FAHUTAN IPB, campus IPB, Dramaga, Bogor.
Chairman of the Department of KSHE of FAHUTAN IPB, Dr. Nyoto Santoso, explained that the purpose of this workshop were to review the latest development of mangrove ecosystem management policy in Indonesia; various mangrove ecosystem management issues; explore the thoughts of sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems; and formulate conservation measures of mangrove ecosystem as life support system in Indonesia.
"The meeting was expected to consolidate mangrove observers, namely the government, universities, researchers, non-governmental and private organizations, so that mangrove conservation and management is still persist so future assessments can be analyzed effectively. IPB as state university is willing to contribute to determine the most effective form of mangrove management direction in the management of mangrove good and successful, as the need for global management of these ecosystems is crucial to sustain the industries (i.e., fisheries, timber, and tourism) and coastal communities that mangroves support and protect," he said.
The Dean of Faculty of Forestry of IPB, Dr. Rinekso Soekmadi, stated that mangrove ecosystem is unique and has various functions and benefits. However, little consistency remains among these programs and inadequate coordination exists among sectors of government. Mangrove ecosystem as a transitional ecosystem between land and sea has been known to have various functions, namely as producers of organic materials, shelter of various species of animals, spawning a variety of fish and shrimp, and as a protector of the beach.
Dr. Rinekso added, considering the importance of mangrove sustainability or mangrove management for the survival of marine ecosystems, it is appropriate that local governments, universities and private sectors should pay attention to the safety of mangrove forests in the Indonesian territory. As the expansion utilization of mangrove forests, if not carefully planned and controlled, will destroy valuable natural resources including coastal mangroves themselves.
"We can’t imagine how we feel if deforestation mangrove forest in Indonesia still continue and we lost our mangrove forest. The loss of mangroves will have devastating economic and environmental consequences. Mangrove deforestation also has implications for the provision of ecosystem services. These ecosystems are not only a vital component in efforts to fight climate change, but they also protect some of the world’s most vulnerable people from extreme weather and provide them with a source of food and income," he explained.
Rector of IPB, Dr. Arif Satria, stated that the scientific meeting was really a good step in the management and mangrove ecosystem as a life support system. The mangrove forests of Southeast Asia are highly biodiverse and provide multiple ecosystem services upon which millions of people depend. Mangroves enhance fisheries and coastal protection, and store among the highest densities of carbon of any ecosystem globally. The benefits and functions of mangroves are essential for preserving examples of habitat representation with their ecosystem types, protecting endangered species of biota, managing areas critical for the breeding of biota species of economic value, utilizing the area for recreation, tourism, education and research, as well as a comparison site for monitoring activities on human impact on the environment
Rector explained, mangrove forests are overwhelmingly managed by government institutions. They often fall under the jurisdiction of multiple ministries, from the Ministry of Forestry to the Ministry of Fishery, creating a maze of vague responsibilities that deliver little protection on the ground. In recent years, an understanding and appreciation of the protective qualities of mangroves has increased in the face of global climate change. National governments, non-governmental organizations and communities are increasingly supporting their conservation and management. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, are competent institution in mangrove management. Coordination between agencies related to mangrove management is really urgent.
While for the technical aspects, explained Rector, it is the policy of the government that decisions concerning the utilization and management of mangroves should be oriented towards producing an integrated system designed to optimize sustained benefits from the ecosystem. Furthermore, rehabilitate damaged mangrove forests, as well as establishing institutional frameworks will be conducive for better management of mangrove. Information that describes the function of mangroves more clearly is needed for a better understanding of the importance of these systems.
In the future Rector of IPB expected that the IPB, especially the Department of KSHE of FAHUTAN IPB will promote its products and expertise by establishing display case other than those already in existed in Gunung Walat. "IPB must have a good and successful ecotourism-based mangrove ecosystem management store, it might be built somewhere in Jakarta (Ancol)," said Rector
This workshop presents environmental and mangrove conservation experts, including Deputy of Natural Resources Coordination and Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ir. Agung Kuswandono; Professor Chair Holder of the Department of KSHE of FAHUTAN IPB, Prof. Dr. Hadi S. Alikodra; Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, of Komenko Perekonomian, Ir. Musdhalifah Machmud, MT; Professor Chair Holder of the Department of Silviculture of FAHUTAN IPB, Prof. Dr. Cecep Kusmana; Head of Sub Directorate of Reforestation of the Directorate of Land and Water Conservation, Director General for the Control of Watershed and Protected Areas (PDASHL) of KLHK, Ir. Joko Pramono, M.Sc. (Wied)
