Enviro News Asia, Serdang Bedagai – A coalition of student organizations from the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication (FDK) at Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara (UINSU) Medan successfully planted 2,000 mangrove seedlings along the coast of Pematang Kuala village, Teluk Mengkudu district, Serdang Bedagai Regency, on Wednesday (7/1/2026), under the banner of the “Coastal Green Movement.”
The environmental initiative received full support from the faculty leadership and local community, with FDK UINSU Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Cooperation Prof. Dr. Anang Anas Azhar, M.A., local hamlet head and Mangrove Farmer Group Chairman Herman, Pematang Kuala Village Government representative Rubino, and student organization leaders in attendance.
Prof. Anang expressed high appreciation for the students’ initiative and environmental awareness, describing the activity as a concrete expression of the three pillars of higher education, particularly the community service pillar.
“Today I feel proud and extend the highest appreciation for this mangrove planting activity. I hope community service of this kind can inspire and be followed by other students, including from outside FDK UINSU,” he said.
He further explained that the Coastal Green Movement is not merely a ceremonial activity but a strategic step in building ecological awareness among students, which is essential for protecting coastal areas from abrasion, habitat damage, pollution, and the negative impacts of environmental change.
Prof. Anang also stressed the importance of strengthening an ecotheological perspective in nature conservation, placing the effort to protect nature as part of humanity’s spiritual and moral responsibility to God, fellow humans, and all living creatures within the ecosystem.
“I hope that through this mangrove planting, the condition of the coastal environment will continue to improve. Coastal ecosystems such as fish and crab habitats are expected to develop well, ultimately delivering ecological and economic benefits for surrounding communities,” he added.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data for Serdang Bedagai Regency, Teluk Mengkudu district has a coastline of around eight kilometers facing the Strait of Malacca. Pematang Kuala is one of four villages in the district bordering the sea directly, and hosts a 52-hectare mangrove ecosystem serving as habitat for diverse plant and marine life species. The regency’s overall coastline stretches approximately 55 kilometers, making cross-sector involvement, from government and communities to fishing groups, universities, and student organizations, essential for its protection.
FDK UINSU Student Senate Chairman Muhammad Ali Akbar Lubis expressed gratitude to the Pematang Kuala Village Government and the Mangrove Farmer Group for the collaboration that was built.
“This cooperation is very important because students not only learn inside classrooms, but are also called to go directly into communities to understand environmental realities. Through this activity, students gained valuable experience in how to plant and care for mangrove ecosystems,” Ali Akbar said.
Mangrove Farmer Group Chairman Herman welcomed the students’ tangible contribution and expressed hope that the 2,000 seedlings planted would be jointly cared for to grow into a green belt protecting the village.
The activity closed with a shared commitment pledge to continue caring for the plants and strengthening ongoing collaboration among the university, village government, farmer groups, and coastal communities. (*)
