Kotawaringin Barat — The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) had again realized its commitment to preserve the environment by planting and rehabilitating mangrove trees in coastal areas of Kotawaringin Barat, Central Kalimantan. It was implemented as part of the government’s program to rehabilitate mangrove forests across Indonesia.
GAPKI Executive Director Mukti Sardjono said the mangrove planting was implemented on Saturday (14/09/2024) under a collaboration between GAPKI and the Farmers Group in Sabuai village of Kumai district in Central Kalimantan. “It is a follow-up step to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry of environment and forestry (KLHK), the ministry of maritime and fishery (KKP), and a number of associations, which include GAPKI.
Sabuai village
According to Mukti Sardjono, GAPKI chose Sabuai village as the location for mangrove planting because the village experienced significant abrasion. It is also part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. GAPKI has been assigned to rehabilitate 50 hectare mangrove forest along the Kahayan river basin (DAS), with initial stage of implementation at 10 hectare site along the coastal area of Sabuai village.
“The planting of mangrove trees in Sabuai village is expected to bring positive impact to the environment and local people, particularly in preventing coastal erosion,” said Mukti.
Success rate of 90%
The previous planting of mangrove trees conducted by GAPKI during the first and second stage of implementation has shown encouraging results. Mukti said that the success rate of mangrove planting reached more than 90%. To maintain the success rate in the third stage of planting, GAPKI will use paralon protection to protect the mangrove seedlings from crab threat.
“With such protection, we’re optimistic that success rate of mangrove tree planting will further increase,” Mukti said.
GAPKI’s Commitment
Mukti said that the mangrove planting is the realization of GAPKI’s commitment to conserve the environment. GAPKI has not only focused on its business of palm oil, but it has also participated in protecting coastal ecosystems through the planting mangrove trees. “The planting program is also part of our efforts to help mitigate the impacts of global climate change and maintain the sustainability of mangrove ecosystem.
“We hope this will become a role model in conserving the sustainability of coastal ecosystem,” he said.
Assistant of Economy and Development at Kotawaringin Barat Regional Secretariat, Kamaludin, said during the occasion that the mangrove planting will not only bring positive impacts to the local environment, but also to local economy as the local people are dependent on the coastal resources, which are mainly supported by mangrove forests.
Next Planting In Other Areas
With the success of the mangrove planting in Kotawaringin Barat, GAPKI hopes to implement such collaborations to rehabilitate mangrove forests in other areas across Indonesia. The commitment is expected to be further realized as an important step in preserving the coastal ecosystems and in supporting the government’s efforts to rehabilitate mangrove forests.
The mangrove planting in Sabuai village has proven that GAPKI’s efforts of preserving environment is not only limited within the scope of the palm oil industries, but also outside the palm oil industries, including the coastal ecosystems, which function to support the local people environmentally and economically. (*)
