BANYUWANGI – Thousands of mangrove seedlings of the Sonneratia alba species are planted on the shores of ponds, Kedunggebang Village, Tegaldlimo . District, Banyuwangi Regency.
Reported from TIMES Banyuwangi, the tree planting was followed by students, community, environmental activist, youth organization, fishing group, as well as representatives from Alas Purwo Banyuwangi National Park. The event was opened by the Banyuwangi Food and Fisheries Service.
“Pohon mangrove yang ditanam kurang lebih sebanyak 1.000 seeds,” kata Ketua Panitia, Agus Yanto, Sunday (12/1/2020).
According to him, This planting is a form of community concern as well as a means of education for students to be more aware and aware of the environment.
“Kami sengaja menggagas acara ini, because we care. And we also want all people to know the importance of mangroves for us,” he added.
Agus, who is also the head of the fishermen's group, also explained:, The land area on the coast of the pond reaches 15 hectare.
Besides that, continued Agus, planting activities 1.000 This mangrove was first carried out in the area, so it should be proud as the beginning of concern.
“Kegiatan tanam 1.000 this mangrove, This is the first time we do this, hopefully this will be the beginning of our concern," he said.
According to him, The coastal area of the pond is experiencing damage to the ecosystem which is quite worrying. This condition causes the fish catch of local fishermen to decrease.
“Sudah beberapa tahun ini, fish catches of fishermen have decreased, hopefully with this effort the ecosystem can recover here,He said.
They hope, through planting activities 1.000 This mangrove community can be moved, and care for the environment.
So that mangrove plants in the environment can grow and develop and become a protector for the habitat of fish and other animals.
“Harapannya dengan kegiatan ini ya mereka ada sedikit bisikan hati nurani, sustainable care for mangroves, Actually this event is also a commemoration of the World Million Tree Day," he said.
Banyuwangi Fisheries and Food Service through assistants and extension workers, Nani Susilowati, appreciate the initiative of mangrove planting activities from local fishing groups.
“Kelompok nelayan Desa Kedunggebang, Tegaldlimo sub-district is the most active group. We should give appreciation,He said.
He also invites the whole community to not only plant mangroves, but you have to take care of it.
“Jangan hanya menanam tapi juga harus dirawat juga, because this mangrove plant can live and can die,” he added.
Meanwhile, The village head said the same thing (village head) Kedunggebang, Eko Budi Santoso. He appreciated the activity considering that mangrove trees have many functions and benefits.
"Our hope, all of them can maintain and care for this mangrove forest ecosystem. So that in the future our environmental assets will be maintained,” tandas Eko.