PANGKALPINANG - Mangroves play an important role in maintaining coastal ecosystems, mangroves also play a role in absorbing carbon dioxide which is important for controlling climate change due to global warming.
Realizing the importance of mangroves for the environmental ecosystem, PT Timah continues to promote mangrove planting in operational areas. This is a form of sustainable environmental management carried out by PT Timah.
This time, PT Timah collaborated with the Pelita Anugerah Harapan Cooperative to plant 2500 mangrove trees at Perepat Mati Beach, Temberan Village, Bukit Intan District, Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Thursday (2/5/2024).
Secretary of the Pelita Anugerah Cooperative, Rudi Hartono, said that planting mangroves could provide many benefits for their environment, including preventing abrasion and also becoming a breeding ground for marine biota.
"Hopefully, the mangroves we planted today can grow well. Currently, we have prepared around 6000 mangrove seedlings. And Alhamdullilah, today we have planted 2500 in the first stage, and we plan to plant the rest at that stage second," he said.
He said that they carried out their nurseries by using seeds from the area so that later they could survive. The reason is that based on their experience, if they take lips from other places they are susceptible to not growing.
Rudi hopes that the collaboration with PT Timah Tbk can continue so that they continue to promote mangrove planting in the area to maintain the ecosystem.
"Hopefully, in the future collaboration like this can continue. Because the Perepat Mati Beach area is still muddy and there are still many mangroves that have not been planted. Apart from that, hopefully, the planting of these 2,500 seedlings will not fail. We also hope that in the future the seedlings will "The seeds that have been planted can also be used as material for comparative studies later," he said.
The efforts of members of the MIND ID Mining Industry holding company, PT Timah, in carrying out mangrove maintenance were also appreciated by the Environment and Forestry Service of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province.
Bangka Belitung Islands Province Environment & Forestry Service (DLHK) official, Eva Kusyaningrum, said that conservation supports mangrove planting activities as an environmental preservation effort.
"With this activity, it means that more and more people are aware of the need for mangrove plants and their benefits. Moreover, this involves community groups," he said.
Eva explained that mangroves have many benefits, including preserving the environment and providing an economic impact for fishermen. He also hopes that PT Timah Tbk's role in environmental preservation can continue to be improved.
"Hopefully in the future, PT Timah will continue to be involved in environmental management. Because planting activities like this can provide a better quality of life. Moreover, mangrove plants are now being promoted due to the benefits of the carbon trade," he said.
PT Timah often carries out mangrove planting in collaboration with communities in the company's operational areas. Various mangrove planting areas include West Bangka, Central Bangka, and other areas. (*)
