Why We Work Here
The mangrove habitats in the northern coastal area of the Sumbawa region in Indonesia are facing continuous loss, threatening the livelihoods of local communities and the health of the entire coastal ecosystem. This project aims to restore over 60 hectares of degraded mangrove forests, strategically positioned to protect the coastline and improve the livelihoods of local communities by creating opportunities for eco-tourism and silvofishery programs.
Approximately 37% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coast, at a population density twice the global average. Mangrove forests provide essential ecosystem services for the survival of these 240 million coastal residents worldwide. Moreover, undisturbed mangrove forests can capture and store significant quantities of carbon for centuries, making them one of the most important Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the fight against climate change. However, 525,000 ha of mangrove forests have been lost at a considerable rate and scale worldwide over the past 24 years. |
How We Work Here
To ensure the success of this project, we are partnering with the local government’s Forest Management Unit (FMU) and Forest Farmers Groups (FFGs), which consist of local community members well experienced in mangrove forest restoration and sustainable management. The FFG members will be actively engaged in every step of the project, from planting mangrove seedlings to monitoring the health of the newly restored forest, under the technical guidance by FMU. Additionally, local experts will be engaged to provide appropriate technologies for improving local livelihoods through eco-tourism and silvofishery in mangrove plantations.
Project Impact
As the restored mangrove forests thrive, they will protect and stabilize the coastline, creating favorable conditions for the natural regeneration of existing Mangrove colonies in surrounding areas. This will also enhance to ecosystem biodiversity by providing habitats for marine life, while effectively absorbing and storing the carbon from the land, sea and atmosphere. This project will stand as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation efforts, demonstrating that a sustainable future for Sumbawa is achievable.