Mangrove Forests and Climate Change: The Urgency of Stricter Regulations

Legal Literacy - Mangrove forests are unique ecosystems located on the coast, functioning as a buffer between land and sea. This ecosystem plays an important role in mitigating climate change, habitat protection, and providing economic resources for coastal communities. However, mangrove forests face serious threats due to illegal logging, land conversion, and the impacts of climate change itself. In this context, the urgency of stricter regulations is becoming increasingly pressing to protect mangrove forests from further damage. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the area of mangrove forests in Indonesia in 2020 was approximately 3.48 million hectares, but this number continues to decline due to various detrimental factors (BPS, 2021).  

The Role of Mangrove Forests in Climate Change Mitigation 

Mangrove forests have an extraordinary ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. According to research published in the journal *Nature Climate Change*, mangrove forests can store up to four times more carbon than other tropical forests (Donato et al., 2011). In Indonesia, which has about 23% of the world's total mangrove forests, this potential is enormous. However, with more and more mangrove forests being lost, this carbon absorption potential is also reduced. Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) shows that between 2000 and 2016, Indonesia lost approximately 1.3 million hectares of mangrove forests, which contributed to increased carbon emissions (KLHK, 2017).  

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Threats to Mangrove Forests 

Threats to mangrove forests are very diverse. One of the most significant is land conversion for agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure development. For example, coastal reclamation projects that are rife in various regions, such as in Jakarta and Bali, have resulted in the loss of thousands of hectares of mangrove forests. A study by WWF Indonesia noted that reclamation in Jakarta threatens 70% of the total remaining mangrove forest area (WWF, 2018). In addition, illegal logging and destructive fishing practices also contribute to the damage to this ecosystem. Without strict regulations, these threats will continue and worsen the condition of mangrove forests.  

The Importance of Strict Regulations 

Stringent regulations are essential to protect mangrove forests from various threats. The Indonesian government has issued several policies, such as Government Regulation No. 26 of 2008 concerning the National Spatial Plan, which includes the protection of mangrove forests. However, the implementation of these policies is often weak and inconsistent. According to a report from Transparency International, corruption and lack of law enforcement are major factors hindering the effectiveness of existing regulations (Transparency International, 2020). Therefore, more serious efforts from the government are needed to strengthen regulations and improve oversight of mangrove forests.  

Case Study: Mangrove Forest Conservation in Bali 

One example of successful mangrove forest conservation can be seen in Bali. The mangrove forest rehabilitation program implemented by the local government and local communities has successfully restored the lost mangrove ecosystem functions. Data from the Bali Provincial Environmental Agency shows that in the last five years, more than 1,000 hectares of mangrove forest have been rehabilitated (Bali Provincial Environmental Agency, 2021). In addition, this program also involves the community in the management and monitoring of mangrove forests, which increases awareness of the importance of this ecosystem. This success shows that with appropriate regulations and community participation, mangrove forest conservation can be achieved.  

Conclusion 

Mangrove forests play a very important role in climate change mitigation and environmental protection. However, the threats they face are very serious and require more attention from the government and the public. Stricter regulations and consistent implementation are essential to protect mangrove forests from further damage. Through joint efforts, including rehabilitation programs and community participation, we can ensure that mangrove forests remain for future generations. Thus, the protection of mangrove forests is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the responsibility of all of us as part of the global ecosystem.    

References  

1. Statistics Indonesia (BPS). (2021). *Indonesia Forestry Statistics 2020*. Jakarta: BPS.
2. Donato, D. C., Kauffman, J. B., Murdiyarso, D., Kurnianto, S., Stidham, M., & Kanninen, M. (2011). "Mangroves among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics." *Nature Climate Change*, 2(5), 512-516.
3. Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). (2017). *2017 Indonesian Environmental Status Report*. Jakarta: KLHK.
4. Transparency International. (2020). *Corruption Perceptions Index 2020*. Berlin: Transparency International.
5. WWF Indonesia. (2018). *Report on the Impact of Reclamation on Mangrove Forests in Jakarta*. Jakarta: WWF Indonesia.
6. Bali Provincial Environmental Agency. (2021). *Report on Mangrove Forest Rehabilitation Activities in Bali*. Denpasar: Bali Provincial Environmental Agency.