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YG, GEC and Aramco Collaborate on Mangrove Conservation
Yayasan Gambut, Global Environment Centre, Aramco and Sekat Bakau are working together on community-based mangrove conservation in Buruk Bakul.
Around 100 volunteers from local communities, schools, local government, Yayasan Gambut, Global Environment Centre and Aramco celebrating the launch of a community-based programme to plant 8,000 mangrove trees in Buruk Bakul, Riau Province, Indonesia
BUKIT BATU, RIAU, 26 October 2023: The Sekat Bakau group in Buruk Bakul Village, Bukit Batu District, Riau, Indonesia, and Yayasan Gambut (YG), with support from Global Environment Centre (GEC) and Aramco, launched a Community-Based Mangrove Conservation Programme to involve and empower local communities in mangrove rehabilitation and conservation.
To launch the programme, 100 volunteers from Sekat Bakau, local communities, schools, local government, YG, GEC and Aramco planted 200 Rhizophora apiculata seedlings in a degraded mangrove area in Buruk Bakul Village.
The planting event was attended by Allfakhrurrozy, ST, M.Si., the Bengkalis Regent’s Expert Adviser for Government, Law and Politics (front centre); Rizki Subagia Effendi, S.STP., M.Si., Secretary of Bukit Batu District (front right); and Patsy Koh, Director of Public Affairs and Business Support at Aramco Asia Singapore (front left).
The Community-Based Mangrove Conservation Programme involves and empowers local communities to plant 8,000 mangrove trees and rehabilitate four hectares of degraded mangrove forest in Buruk Bakul Village.
Research on coastal erosion in Bukit Batu District (1) found that the shoreline retreated by 140 metres between 1991 and 2021, with average annual erosion exceeding four metres. Without measures to prevent erosion, continuing shoreline loss would have harmful consequences for communities living in the area.
Supported by Aramco, with YG as the implementing partner and GEC providing programme management and technical facilitation, the programme aims to restore degraded mangrove forest by planting 8,000 mangrove trees in Buruk Bakul and building a 100-metre wave barrier to reduce wave damage and retain sediment.
A 100-metre wave barrier built to reduce wave energy and coastal erosion in Buruk Bakul Village
Fai K. Aldossary, Managing Director of Aramco Asia Singapore, said: “At Aramco, we strongly believe in protecting and restoring habitats to achieve sustainable development and protect the homes of local communities. We are pleased to work with our partners and local communities in Indonesia to further expand our mangrove conservation efforts in Southeast Asia.”
GEC Director Faizal Parish said: “The partnership with Aramco Asia Singapore, YG, the Buruk Bakul Village Government and Sekat Bakau has enabled us to raise community awareness of the importance of conserving and protecting mangrove and coastal ecosystems, establish a community nursery to support planting activities, and promote alternative livelihood options to reduce pressure on mangrove resources.
“When communities understand how mangroves can protect their homes and improve their livelihoods, they are empowered to lead long-term conservation efforts.”
YG Director Mulyadi said: “The programme’s activities align with Indonesian government policies on mangrove and coastal ecosystem management towards integrated and sustainable programmes.”
1 Paramita, E., Rifardi, R., & Feliatra, F. Analysis of the Level of Abrasion on the Coast of Bukit Batu Sub-District, Bengkalis Regency, Riau. Jurnal Perikanan dan Kelautan, 27(3), 319-327.