IPB Disaster Research Center Holds Discussion About Mangrove Conservation
In national scale, our mangrove forests are still in a bad condition. As much as 52 percent of the forests have already depleted and the land changed their function. Besides the already destroyed forests, the remaining ones are also susceptible to degradation.
This was expressed by the Deputy of Natural Researches and Marine Services, Marine Coordinator Ministry of Republic of Indonesia (RI), Ir Agung Kuswandono, MA when he was opening the series Cerdas Talk 2 in Executive Development Training Center (EDTC) building, Center of Coastal and Marine Resources (PKSPL)-Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) Baranangsiang (8/8). According to him, we need a joint and integrated effort to save mangrove ecosystem in Indonesia.
Cerdas Talk 2, which was attended by more than 100 participants, was opened by the Head of Disaster Research Center Program (PSB), Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), IPB, Dr Yonvitner. Dr Yonvitner hopes that programs like this can be an instrument for the government to prepare steps in order to implement ecosystem conservation programs. Safeguarding mangroves is to maintain the ecosystem and to protect the people against upcoming disasters.
The other speaker who attended the event was the Head of PKSPL IPB, Dr Ario Damar, MSc, Prof Dietrich G Bengen from Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB, Dr Sahat M Panggabean from Marine Coordinator Ministry (Kemenkomaritim) and Agus Witjaksono representing Director of Disaster Control, Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantages Areas and Transmigration.
In this opportunity, Prof Dietrich G Bengen told his views that the awareness in mangrove management has to be developed as early as possible. There are three things that have to be understood in mangrove management, for example mangrove's function as the provider of life supports, comfort, and source of natural resources. "Don't expect of eating fish if we don't even have mangrove," he emphasizes.
Agus Witjaksono explained about the funding alternative for mangrove conservation programs which can be done through village fund allocation. The village's authority in planning its fund, including to fund mangrove conservation, can be the instrument that can strengthen the village's ability in managing mangrove ecosystem. "Village-based mangrove conservation can be a new paradigm for villages in managing their environment," he adds.
Afterwards, Dr Sahat M Panggabean from Kemenkomaritim highlighted how important it is to involve Higher Education, State-owned Enterprise of Indonesia (BUMN), private companies, and societies to do a national-scale mangrove planting.
The discussion which was led by Dr Perdinan from PSB, LPPM-IPB, concluded that a guideline that can be the policy between parties in mangrove rehabilitation plan is needed. Mangrove should be the learning space and incentives for people to drive the mangrove issue as a part of global scale diplomacy that has to be the responsibility for everyone, by strengthening the role of every stakeholder related to mangrove. (Ard)
