Aruna Collaborated with Lasik and Maritime Foundation to Plant and Monitor Mangroves

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, Aruna collaborated with the Lasik Community to plant mangroves with a total of 1000 seedlings in Tanjung Batu, Berau, East Kalimantan. The high use of boats by fishers certainly contributed to CO2 pollution. Driven by this fact, the agenda resulted in various positive outputs, including protection against sedimentation, abrasion, and seawater intrusion, as well as a buffer against storms and salt-laden winds. A number of stakeholders were also invited, such as the Chairman of the Financial Audit Board, the Director of Village-Owned Enterprises, the Subdistrict Secretary, and the Head of the local Environment and Hygiene Agency, as well as Tanjung Batu mangrove craftsmen. 

Lasik itself is a youth community with the same vision as Aruna. This community is committed to preserving maritime nature with planting mangrove seedlings as one of its flagship programs. Coupled with Aruna’s strong connections with coastal communities and local government bodies, both parties are determined to make this agenda a milestone in protecting the coastal environment from all forms of damage. Secretary of Tanjung Batu Subdistrict, Tri Susanti S.Kom., M.M., said, “Activities like this should not leave the maintenance as well. In other words, a ceremony at the beginning doesn’t really count, but it’s more about how we can monitor and manage the post-care.”

Lasik and Aruna invited a lecturer from the University of Muhammadiyah Berau, Supriyadi Syam, S.Kel., M.Si.. The large number of mangrove planting areas that had not been optimized was the main factor that convinced Lasik and Aruna to insert the socialization agenda. “Restoration is to improve the ecological function of mangrove forests that have been degraded, but please note that restoration, rehabilitation is not then immediately successful only through replanting. Plant it and look after it. Tanjung Batu has many mangrove planting areas, but there are also many environmental degradation phenomena here—two things that complement each other,” said Supriyadi. 

Utari Octavianty, Aruna’s Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “The most fundamental thing that drives us to collaborate with Lasik is the positive outcome that we are likely to create. Mangrove planting can not only reduce the damage or abrasion of the beach, but can also be a place where fish breed and spawn. Our hope is that our initiation can help the community’s economy, while caring for the environment where we are.”