Sunday, 26th July 2020 marks the International Day to Conserve the Mangrove Ecosystem approved by UNESCO all over the world or also known as World Mangrove Day. To celebrate this day, we went instagram live with Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara to educate ourselves on facts about this unique ecosystem. Joined by usi (Ambonese for 'sister') Sally Kailola, we learnt a lot about the life it supports and how it has been a gift to us in the motherland and of course the urgency to save it for future generations.
Did you know that Indonesia is home to the biggest mangrove ecosystem in the world? Sadly, more than a fourth of our mangroves has been lost or destroyed in the past 3 decades. Mangroves also known as 'rainforests of the sea' play an essential part in sustaining life on water and on land, giving livelihood to the people living around them. This unique ecosystem stays unchanged since the prehistoric times. Old traditions in Indonesia has told tales of its significance and sacredness to teach the people its importance. But sadly, the rapid growth of modernisation still have us at a loss.
Mangroves has protected the islands of Indonesia from natural disasters, the loss of this ecosystem has had a huge impact on natural disaster management not only in the capital city of Jakarta but all around the archipelago. Mangroves are also responsible for cleaning up our air as it sucks four times more carbon dioxide than rainforests, so our air pollution in the city was also contributed by the loss of this unique ecosystem.
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara has started a conservation program called Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (MERA) that in the present undertakes five ongoing restoration projects across Indonesia. It is a research-based program that hopes to restore and create a sustainable conservation program that involves private and local government stakeholders. Aiming to restore at least 500.000 hectares of mangrove across the archipelago, this movement needs your help now more than ever.
For more information head to our lively two-part conversation with usi Sally and be part of the change simply by following @ykan_id and educate yourself on the matter.
Be present, stay safe, stay #homewithimaji
