JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development through a mangrove forest regeneration program in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi. In line with the spirit of Earth Day on April 22, the program has successfully rehabilitated 50 hectares of critical land while providing economic benefits for around 5,000 coastal communities.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said the Pangpang Bay area is a coastal area with important ecological functions that had previously experienced degradation due to environmental pressures and land use changes.
"BNI's real action in the area is a manifestation of the company's commitment to restoring the ecological function of mangroves while creating sustainable economic value that directly benefits the surrounding community," he said in a written statement.
The program carried out through the BNI Berbagi initiative is carried out with a collaborative approach with local communities, coastal monitoring groups, and local governments. Activities include mangrove planting in affected areas, maintenance for three years, to the development of community-based areas.
As a result, the rehabilitated mangrove area is now functioning again as a natural coastal fortress that is able to reduce the risk of abrasion and flash floods, especially for people in Tegalpare Village. In addition to ecological benefits, this program also opens new economic opportunities through the development of ecotourism, soka crab cultivation, mangrove nurseries, and other derivative products.
In terms of economic impact, BNI noted that this program provides significant added value. Based on the Social Return on Investment (SROI) study, every Rp1 investment generates benefits of Rp3.35 until the end of 2025. This value is projected to increase to Rp7.23 in the 2026-2027 period as the mangrove ecosystem matures.
"This achievement shows that a properly designed sustainability program is able to provide a real multiplication impact for society and the environment," said Okki.
BNI assesses that investment in the environmental sector not only has an impact on the preservation of the ecosystem, but also strengthens the economic resilience of coastal communities. In the future, the company will expand similar initiatives by partnering with more stakeholders to increase the scale and impact of the program.
Through this program, BNI shows that environmental preservation efforts can go hand in hand with improving people's welfare, while supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development. (ADV)
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