KILASRIAU .com-in commemoration of Mangrove Day 2025, an activity entitled Mangrove Talk was successfully held at Gajah Mada field. With the theme “Suara Mangrove: Dari Muda, Komunitas, untuk Alam”
This event presents an inspiring discussion about the role of young people and communities in maintaining mangrove ecosystems with participants from high school students in Tembilahan City.
This activity presented three speakers, namely Harlen from Lphd Perigi Raja Village, Siti Masfiroh from Yayasan Mitra Insani and M.Rifai as the son of mangrove 2024, and moderated by M.rukim. This activity was organized by the Mitra Insani Foundation as the main organizer of mangrove day 2025 activities.
During the discussion, M.Rifai highlighted the importance of basic education about mangroves to the community.
“when we went to the field, many friends did not know the importance of mangroves. Therefore, we started by providing a basic understanding of mangroves,” he explained.
He also added that the mangrove selection event aims as a forum for collaboration of the younger generation in environmental conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, Siti Masfiroh underlined the contribution of the Mitra Insani Foundation in empowering coastal communities through literature studies and fisheries programs.
“we have 26 enumerators who collect shrimp and crabs in coastal areas. if the river is not maintained, then fishermen will also have difficulty catching marine products such as crabs,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of protecting the coast as an effort to take care of the future.
Harlen as a representative of Lembaga Pengelola Hutan Desa (Lphd), conveyed the challenges in managing mangrove forest areas. According to him, rehabilitation has been carried out at many points, but there are still many people who do not understand how vital the function of mangrove ecosystems is.
“we continue to provide assistance and education so that people take part in protecting the environment,”he said.
The question and Answer Session also added to the participants ‘ insights. One of the questions highlighted the problems of sanitation and pollution in mangrove areas. interviewees responded that the community and volunteers actively patrol to prevent illegal acts such as river poisoning and illegal logging.
“if the river continues to be poisoned, then plants like nipah will collapse little by little. This can accelerate abrasion, ‘ said Rifai.
This event is an important momentum to invite all elements of society, especially the younger generation to be more concerned and involved in environmental conservation, especially mangrove ecosystems that become natural coastal fortifications.
