Enviro News Asia, Subang — Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono emphasized the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems through mangrove planting.
He made this statement during the World Mangrove Day commemoration titled “Protect Mangroves, Protect Life” held in Anggasari Village, Sukasari District, Subang Regency, on Thursday (31/7/2025).
This initiative is part of a broader commitment to strengthen environmental protection in coastal areas, particularly in addressing coastal erosion and tidal flooding that frequently affect the northern coastline of West Java.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Diaz highlighted that mangroves serve not only as natural canopies but also as vital protectors of coastal life from various environmental threats.
“Why do we need to plant mangroves? This effort prevents tidal flooding, protects fish farms from damage caused by coastal abrasion, safeguards homes from flooding, and helps absorb carbon dioxide and pollutants,” said Deputy Minister Diaz, as quoted in the official press release from the Ministry of Environment.
He also stressed that mangrove planting must be accompanied by changes in community behavior, especially in waste management.
One of the major challenges in mangrove rehabilitation, he noted, is waste accumulation that hinders the plants’ growth.
The roots of mangroves—especially their aerial roots or pneumatophores—cannot grow properly if covered with plastic or other inorganic waste.
“Planting mangroves will be pointless if people continue to litter. So we must agree to plant mangroves and stop dumping waste carelessly,” Deputy Minister Diaz asserted.
As a form of concrete support, the Ministry of Environment will provide various waste management and environmental preservation tools for Subang.
“The Ministry will donate boats, waste shredders, trash collectors, and two-wheeled garbage carts. Please protect Subang, West Java, and Indonesia from waste and coastal erosion caused by tidal flooding,” Diaz added.
The Deputy Minister also expressed appreciation to the people of Subang Regency who have actively planted mangroves, despite many coastal areas already being affected by erosion.
Subang Vice Regent Agus Masykur Rosyadi also underscored the urgency of coastal restoration.
He stated that tidal flooding has become a recurring problem in Subang’s coastal regions, making mangrove planting a strategic and time-sensitive solution.
“We’ve planted 26,000 mangrove trees, and several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs will also contribute to mangrove planting,” said Agus Masykur Rosyadi.
Also attending the event was Deputy for Pollution and Environmental Damage Control (PPKL), Rasio Ridho Sani. The event concluded with a symbolic mangrove planting activity involving invited guests and local residents. (*)
