The Mangrove Forest On The North Coast Of Java Is Damaged, The Bad News: It Is Predicted That Semarang Will Become A Sea In The Next 1000 Years

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Network Foundation consultant Roel H Bosma said many countries ignore mangrove forests. In fact, mangroves play an important role in protecting the habitat of marine biota and human settlements. Currently, the mangrove forests along the northern coast of Java are being damaged.

"The damage caused the loss of residential areas, infrastructure, and hundreds of hectares of ponds. After 1,000 years the eastern part of Semarang will become the sea again and the route to Surabaya becomes a sea fort. The concrete sea fort will be washed away by the waves," he said in a webinar, Wednesday, 2 June.

According to Roel, one of the causes of mangrove damage is human activity in earning a living. Meanwhile, muddy beaches require a permeable structure that is not hard. He said this structure has been used for centuries and is currently being tested in Demak Regency.

"They need a higher level of understanding in order to improve their ability to maintain permeable and greenbelt structures," he said.

Roel said, to achieve this goal, BwNI carried out four programs. First, protect the remaining mangrove forests and build a permeable structure that traps sediment. Thus, natural mangroves can grow.

Second, replacing the ponds around the coast and river mouths with mangroves. Third, increase the income of farmers through training in aquaculture schools and livelihoods from other activities.

Lastly, encourage policy and industry not to use groundwater. Because it causes land subsidence. Where the speed is 10 times faster than sea rise.

"BwNI got a contract with local residents to build a permeable structure. After three years they used the village budget to build and maintain the structure. After 4.5 years pioneering mangrove species began to grow in the new sediment without being planted," he said.