Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry officially launched MANDARA (Mangrove Data Nusantara), an integrated national mangrove data platform, on Tuesday (10/02/2026) to enhance transparency, coordination, and data-driven governance of the country’s vast mangrove ecosystems.
Developed by the Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH), MANDARA serves as an Integrated Data Platform for Mangroves (IDPM). The system has been under development since 2024 through the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience (M4CR) program and functions as a centralized gateway for managing and exchanging up-to-date, accessible, and verified mangrove data.
“MANDARA marks an important step toward data transparency and integration. We want to ensure that every coastal rehabilitation policy and collaboration is based on accurate, integrated, and accountable data,” said PDASRH Director General Dyah Mutiningsih during the launch ceremony.
Indonesia, which hosts the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, faces ongoing challenges in synchronizing data and strengthening cross-sector coordination. According to the latest figures, approximately 80 percent of Indonesia’s existing mangroves are located within forest areas, positioning the Ministry of Forestry as a key authority in mangrove conservation and restoration.
Growing demand for reliable mangrove data from academics, international institutions, and the private sector has underscored the need for a credible and open data management system.
MANDARA is designed not only as a data repository but also as a smart collaborative platform that facilitates multi-stakeholder engagement in mangrove rehabilitation. By standardizing information and integrating datasets, the platform bridges cooperation among national and regional governments, businesses, financial institutions, academics, civil society organizations, and international partners.
Functionally, MANDARA plays several strategic roles:
- Supporting coordination and data distribution for the preparation of Mangrove Area Maps and Forest and Land Rehabilitation (RHL) Maps with greater efficiency and precision.
- Storing multiple layers of data, including GIS-based spatial data, high-resolution satellite imagery, tabular datasets, technical documentation, and environmental impact analyses.
- Enabling transparent monitoring of mangrove rehabilitation data inputs from various funding sources.
- Providing a two-way communication feature that allows the public to submit field reports, feedback, and recommendations to strengthen local mangrove governance.
Officials expect that improved data transparency and traceability through MANDARA will enhance public trust and encourage broader participation in mangrove restoration initiatives. The platform also lays a foundation for sustainable financing mechanisms, including results-based investment, public–private partnerships, and blue carbon initiatives.
Since its initial development in 2024, IDPM/MANDARA has supported the formulation of institutional guidance maps that serve as references for national mangrove rehabilitation efforts. With its official launch, MANDARA is expected to set a new standard for mangrove data publication and exchange across stakeholders.
Through this initiative, Indonesia reinforces its position as a global leader in blue carbon ecosystem protection and nature-based climate mitigation solutions. (*)
