Jakarta Government Targets Planting One Kilometer of Mangroves Annually to Bolster Coastal Resilience

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Jakarta Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by setting a target to plant at least one kilometer of mangrove seedlings along the northern coast each year, aiming to foster a greener and more resilient coastal ecosystem.

“For mangrove planting, a minimum of 1 km is targeted every year,” said Rudy Syahrul, Secretary of Jakarta’s Parks and Urban Forest Office, during a press briefing on Sunday.

As part of the 2025 World Mangrove Day commemoration on Saturday, the government planted approximately 10,000 mangrove seedlings across four coastal locations in Jakarta, underlining efforts to restore the region’s vital coastal habitats.

Syahrul expressed confidence that the annual target would be met, emphasizing the importance of consistent efforts to protect and rehabilitate mangrove ecosystems.

Special Staff to the Jakarta Governor, Nirwono Yoga, reiterated the administration’s dedication under Governor Pramono Anung to promoting a sustainable urban environment. “To achieve this vision, the government continues to develop green urban spaces,” Yoga noted.

He also called on the public, private sector, and local mangrove communities to actively participate in the initiative. “This should not be a one-day event. We hope the effort continues throughout the year, with a minimum planting target of 1 km annually — or more, ideally,” he added.

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, celebrated annually on July 26 since 2015, highlights the crucial role mangroves play in coastal defense, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. According to UNESCO, mangroves serve as powerful carbon sinks, protect communities from coastal erosion and storms, and support food security and biodiversity.

However, these vital ecosystems are under severe threat. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has warned that more than three-quarters of the world’s mangroves are endangered, along with countless species that rely on them. She underscored UNESCO’s commitment to safeguarding these blue carbon ecosystems through its global network of Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks, and natural World Heritage sites.

With mangrove coverage declining three to five times faster than global forest loss, Jakarta’s initiative reflects a proactive step in aligning local action with global conservation efforts.