The Silent Path of Environmental Warriors

Efforts to save the environment from destruction require real action. A number of environmentalists in various parts of the country are fighting for nature sustainability.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Daman, keeper of the Javan langur in the Muara Bendera mangrove forest in Pantai Bahagia Village, Muaragembong District, Bekasi Regency, West Java, Thursday (27/10/2022). Since 2010, Daman has been moved to protect the mangrove forest of Muara Bendera, along with the rampant hunting of Javan langurs.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Moving in silence, a number of individuals and communities across the country are trying to save the environment from damage. Their efforts range from protecting animals from extinction and rehabilitating coastal areas destroyed by pond exploitation, to empowering communities in coastal areas.

Not far from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, Daman (51) has been protecting the Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus) in the mangrove forest in Muara Bendera village, Muaragembong district, Bekasi, West Java, for more than a decade. His love for animals makes him brave enough to face hunters with rifles and local residents who harass the monkeys.

"We are sometimes forced to fight. I'm not afraid because since my childhood I have loved animals. At least I don't like people torturing, let alone killing animals," he said on Sunday (27/11/2022).

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Even though at first he didn't understand that this animal was classified as endangered and protected, Daman has been steadfast in protecting the monkeys since 2010. Not only did he keep poachers away, he also put up posters urging them to protect the various types of animals that live in the mangrove forest. The effort is self-sacrificing and really comes from a calling.

Daman's consistency and determination has earned the attention of residents. They finally help in preserving the monkeys. The langur population has also increased from 30 in 2018 to 52 in 2021.

Coastal areas

In Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra, the mangrove forest area on the coast of Tanjung Rejo village, Percut Sei Tuan district, has been damaged by exploitation for ponds since the 2000s. Catches for crabs and shrimps that used to be abundant have gradually receded as the function of the mangrove forests has been converted into ponds.

For almost 10 years, we have replanted damaged mangrove forests.

Ironically, when the ponds that were mostly opened by entrepreneurs from outside the area were no longer productive and damaged due to abrasion, the former pond areas were left just like that. More than that, the remaining mangroves were cleared to make charcoal. Part of the area has also been converted into palm oil plantations.

This condition aroused the concern of Miswat (50) and residents who are members of the Panglima Beach Forest Farmers Group. Tirelessly, they rehabilitate the former ponds by sowing seeds and planting mangroves.

"For almost 10 years, we have replanted damaged mangrove forests," said Miswat.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Miswat (50), a resident of Tanjung Rejo Village, shows a former fish pond that was rehabilitated as a mangrove forest in Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Tuesday (8/11/2022).

The hard work of rehabilitating mangrove forests is starting to show its results. Stands in the mangrove forest look lush. Populations of crabs and shrimps, which are the basis of life for local fishermen, are starting to develop around the mangrove forest. The local economy is reviving.

Until now, there are still many former ponds that have been abandoned and urgently need to be rehabilitated. Illegal logging of mangrove forests is also still found, even though residents routinely patrol the area, but the number is decreasing.

Since 2021, the Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) has rehabilitated the area. “The principle of mangrove rehabilitation must be in line with community economic empowerment. If not, the planted mangroves will be damaged again," BRGM head Hartono said during a visit to Tanjung Rejo village on Tuesday (8/11).

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Now, the area of mangrove forest remaining in North Sumatra is around 57,490 hectares. The BRGM has set a target to accelerate mangrove rehabilitation in North Sumatra with a total of 50,674 ha in 2021-2024. In 2023-2024 it is targeted to rehabilitate 7,900 ha of mangrove forests with a budget of more than Rp 150 billion.

"This is not only for planting mangroves, but also community empowerment," said Hartono.

Damage in coastal areas also occurred in parts of North Sulawesi. Having 627 coastal villages along a stretch of 2,395.99 kilometers of coastline, the majority grassroots communities in "Bumi Nyiur Melambai" depend on the sea and all the resources in it.

Ironically, destructive exploitative methods are common. Bombs and poison are used to catch fish, while mangroves are cleared to get firewood and building materials.

KOMPAS/KRISTIAN OKA PRASETYADI

The management of the Solidarity Manengkel Association, namely (from left) chairman Erlando Tumangken, director Sella Runtulalo, and person in charge of the plastic waste program Edwin Tumoka when met at their office, Thursday (24/11/2022) in Paal Dua, Manado, North Sulawesi.

This condition sparks a movement of conservation activists to save the coastal environment of North Sulawesi. In 2015, environmentalist Stella Runtulalo and three academics and marine conservation activists founded the Manengkel Solidarity Association.

In the Sangihe language, manengkel means fishing activity at night when the water recedes. Fishing is done using spears. Fish is taken only enough to meet the family's needs. Awareness and ability to use natural resources wisely is what they want to develop in the coastal villages of North Sulawesi.

”The essence of our activities is community empowerment while protecting the environment. In managing coastal resources, the people's welfare can definitely improve,” Stella said on Thursday (24/11/2022).

After seven years of existence, the Manengkel Solidarity Association has assisted more than 30 villages and subdistricts in five regencies/cities, namely Manado, Bitung, Minahasa, North Minahasa and South Minahasa. In Bitung, for example, the development of a marine conservation area covering 9,635 ha in the Lembeh Strait is underway.

The essence of our activities is community empowerment while protecting the environment.

In South Minahasa, in Kapitu village to be precise, coral reef rehabilitation is being carried out while increasing community knowledge about how to protect coral reefs. "This year we are restoring 1.25 ha of damaged underwater land," said Erlando Tumangken, chairman of the Manengkel Solidarity Association.

Efforts to help the community take care of the coast are also being carried out by planting mangroves in a number of villages and subdistricts. In Manado, for example, a program implemented since 2015 is able to restore at least 18 ha of mangrove forest in Bahowo village, Bunaken district. Ecotourism is also being developed there.

The movement to save coastal areas is growing, along with support in funds from various parties, including from PT Cargill Indonesia in South Minahasa, PT Tirta Investama in North Minahasa and PT Pertamina in Bitung. The Bank Indonesia (BI) representative office of North Sulawesi is also frequently involved.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.