RI Faces Mangrove Crisis as 750,000 Hectares Reported Damaged or Lost

KBRN, Tangerang: Out of Indonesia’s 3.44 million hectares of mangrove ecosystems, approximately 750,000 hectares have been reported as degraded or lost. The statement was conveyed by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka through Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.

“Our mangrove forests are actually ranked number one in the world,” said Minister Hanif during a visit to Tangerang Regency on Monday, October 27, 2025. He noted that Vice President Gibran has given this issue special attention.

The minister added that the government is committed to rehabilitating mangrove forests that have been converted for other uses. “The Vice President has instructed us to urgently review funding mechanisms to support rehabilitation efforts,” he said.

The Minister emphasized that the growing importance of mangroves has become a key concern for the Vice President. “He has mandated that mangrove forests along Indonesia’s coastlines must be managed with utmost seriousness,” Minister Hanif stated.

He said, the Vice President expressed deep concern over the condition of the northern coast of Tangerang. “The mangrove cover there is extremely thin, and the area is experiencing land subsidence and rising sea levels,” he warned.

Director General of Forestry Planning at the Ministry of Forestry, Ade Tri Ajikusumah, reported that protected mangrove forests along the Tangerang coastline have undergone significant changes. Of the original 1,603.79 hectares of designated mangrove forest, only about 500.55 hectares remain.

Sepriyanto, a local mangrove conservation manager in Muara Village, Tangerang Regency, said he is focused on preserving the coastal mangrove ecosystem. He noted that the area under his care has shrunk from 500 hectares to 400 hectares due to ongoing development.

“The mangrove ecosystem in Tanjung Burung Village has been completely wiped out,” he added, explaining that since 2015, the area has been converted into upscale residential zones. (Diva Rifdah/Sri Wahyuni)