Enviro News Asia, Surabaya – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable coastal development by participating in a mangrove festival that promotes ecosystem restoration and community well-being. The initiative highlights the university’s support for climate action through mangrove rehabilitation and cross-sector collaboration.
According to Dr. Sri Widati, Coordinator for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at UNAIR’s Institute for Sustainable Community Service, the university joined the festival to help address coastal degradation, particularly the growing threat of shoreline erosion. She emphasized that mangrove forests serve as natural coastal barriers while also functioning as important carbon sinks and habitats for diverse marine and terrestrial species.
Indonesia is home to approximately 23 percent of the world’s mangrove forests, making sustainable management of these ecosystems essential for both environmental protection and community livelihoods. Dr. Widati noted that healthy mangrove ecosystems allow nature and local communities to coexist in harmony.
Beyond environmental restoration, UNAIR stressed that long-term conservation efforts require collaboration among universities, governments, communities, and other stakeholders. The university believes that protecting natural ecosystems cannot be achieved through isolated efforts but depends on strong multi-sector partnerships.
As part of its contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land), UNAIR, through its Institute for Sustainable Community Service, participated in a coastal tree-planting program alongside East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Indonesian musician Kaka Slank, and the Tuban Regency Government.
The university expressed hope that the continued implementation of similar environmental programs will generate lasting benefits for coastal communities by improving environmental quality, public health, and local livelihoods.
Dr. Widati added that the initiative reflects UNAIR’s commitment to creating meaningful sustainability impacts, emphasizing that the university seeks to remain actively engaged with society rather than serving solely as an academic institution.
Through its participation in the mangrove festival, UNAIR continues to strengthen its role in supporting climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable coastal development in Indonesia. (*)
