Playing The Heart Of Coastal Life, Mangrove Area In Indonesia Reaches 3.4 Million Hectares

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JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said that mangroves are the heart of coastal life in Indonesia.

The reason is, based on the National Mangrove Map in 2024, the mangrove area in Indonesia reaches 3.4 million hectares.

"Hi #SahabatBahari, not a concrete or iron bulwark, this is mangroves, natural bulwarks that are ready to protect our coast from abrasion," wrote the KKP in its upload on the official Instagram account @kkpgoid, Saturday, July 26.

"Indonesia's mangrove area reaches 3,440,464 hectares. This makes Indonesia the country with the widest mangrove ecosystem in the world," continued the KKP.

KKP explained, there are at least five mangrove functions. First, protect the coast from abrasion and prevent sea water intrusion. Second, as a home/habit for more than 1,500 species of flora and fauna. And third, mangroves act as livelihoods for coastal communities.

Fourth, mangroves function to absorb carbon five times more than mainland tropical forests and the fifth, namely maintaining water quality in coastal areas. This is because the roots and soil around mangroves are able to filter organic waste and pollutants from water before entering the sea.

As for every July 26, the world commemorates World Mangrove Day or International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

This warning was set by UNESCO in 2015 to raise global awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems and the need for protection against them.

"July 26, 2025 (given) World Mangrove Day. Protecting mangroves, protecting life, protecting the future," concluded the KKP.