Sungai Bela — Mitra Insani Foundation in collaboration with Putra-Putri Mangrove 2026 held a Mangrove Education activity: Learning, Protecting, and Preserving at Mathlaul Iman Sungai Bela Middle School (MTs).
This activity was attended by 100 students and was carried out as an effort to increase awareness and concern among the younger generation regarding the coastal environment which is closely related to the lives of the surrounding community, Friday (30/01/2025).
This mangrove education activity was deemed relevant to the environmental conditions of the Bela River, which is directly linked to the mangrove ecosystem. The 2025 Putra-Putri Mangrove (Mangrove Boys and Girls) presented material that included an introduction to the mangrove ecosystem, the impacts of mangrove destruction, and the role of youth in protecting and preserving the environment. The students enthusiastically participated in the activity, which was presented in an educational and interactive manner, making it easier for them to understand the material.
“As teenagers, we are agents of change in environmental conservation. This can be done by disseminating information, cleaning up the environment, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and planting green plants,” explained Yuphika Putri, Mangrove Favorite 2025.
During the presentation, the speaker also explained that mangrove damage can cause coastal erosion, decline in environmental quality, and impact the social and economic lives of coastal communities. Therefore, teenagers have a crucial role as agents of change in environmental protection, starting with simple actions at school and around their homes.
This activity received a positive response from the school. In her remarks, Principal Ernida expressed her appreciation to the Mitra Insani Foundation for organizing the activity.
“We are very pleased that our school was chosen for the mangrove education program. The material presented was very relevant to the environmental conditions around Sungai Bela. They explained what mangroves are, what their parts are, and how to care for them. I hope the knowledge shared will be beneficial and broaden our horizons,” she said.
Through this mangrove education program, it is hoped that the students of MTs Sungai Bela will not only understand the importance of the mangrove ecosystem but will also be able to apply the values of environmental conservation in their daily lives, both at school and in the community.
