BANGKA – Maintaining environmental ecosystems in coastal areas, PT Timah Tbk is again planting mangroves. This time, PT Timah Tbk cooperated with the TNI to plant 5000 mangrove stems in the Muara Lingkungan Nelayan II Sungailiat Area, Thursday (7/10/2021). This mangrove planting which became a series of commemorations of the TNI's 76th Anniversary was also attended by the Regent of Bangka, Mulkan, community organizations, the All Indonesia Fishermen's Association (HNSI) of Bangka Regency, students and the surrounding community.
Chairman of the All Indonesia Fishermen's Association (HNSI) Bangka, Lukman said, the coast often experiences abrasion, especially during the northern season. So, mangrove planting can be a solution to protect the settlement of residents from abrasion.
"We are sad to see the conditions, this area is a high sea so that if not prevented the waves can enter the settlements especially during the northern season. "We need mangrove planting," he said.
According to him, mangrove planting activities have been carried out several times, but still, have to be done continuously to increase the area of mangrove planting. Lukman said, in maintaining mangroves his party cooperated with various parties such as coastal warriors, Fisherman Youth, Youth Mosque Fishermen, and organizations in fishermen II.
Similarly, Fiki (19) fishermen II residents are grateful that PT Timah Tbk has planted mangroves in the environmental area II Nelayan Sungailiat. He told before planting mangroves if the tidal wave of water in this area often causes accidents of fishermen who will go to sea. "We feel that planting mangrove trees is very effective to help us feel safe when the tidal wave arrives. I feel that the help of PT Timah Tbk makes us young women who are native residents in this neighborhood to continue to preserve this area," he said.
Regent of Bangka, Mulkan appreciated the mangrove planting carried out by PT Timah Tbk, according to him this is in line with the government's program in environmental empowerment.
"This program is in line with the government because it provides welfare and safety guarantees to the community to avoid flood problems. Forests are a buffer for human life, if forests do not exist then problems arise such as abrasion or erosion," he said.
If this is not anticipated properly it will cause damage to existing buildings around both those that have been built by residents and the Government. In addition to maintaining the environment, mangroves can also beautify this area.
Mulkan advised, mangroves are not only planted but also must be maintained and maintained so that they can grow and provide environmental impact. "I hope the community takes care and maintains what has been done, as well as the community here can inform either the local government or other organizations if there is crop damage," Mulkan said.
According to him, if this area is managed properly it can be a tourism potential that will also help the economy of the surrounding community. "This location can be used as a tourist destination because it is quite spacious and strategic close to the city center. It also supports the economy of the surrounding community, for example, if there are guests or people who want to visit this mangrove forest, can rent a boat from the community and can produce MSME products of the surrounding residents, "he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Student Executive Board (BEM) Stisipol Pahlawan 12, Topandra hopes that activities like this are more routinely carried out to maintain the environmental ecosystem. "Hopefully this activity is further routed and we hope that PT Timah Tbk can focus on environmental rehabilitation so that we can both take care of it," he said. (**)
