YKAN and Partners Support the Establishment of Multistakeholder Forum Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Management in Riau Province

The key to a successful restoration and sustainable mangrove management is collaborative action supported by good planning. Multi-stakeholder forums play an important role in supporting the acceleration of mangrove ecosystem recovery. This matter was raised in the "Preparatory Discussion for the Establishment of a Multistakeholder Forum for Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Management in Riau Province" which was organized by the Riau Provincial Government and supported by Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) with partners through the Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (MERA) platform at the end of March 2022.

“The mangrove ecosystem in Riau Province is under tremendous pressure. Illegal logging of mangroves, both for the charcoal industry, foundational building materials, and other human needs causes the degradation of the mangrove ecosystem which has a wide impact. Mangrove rehabilitation in Riau Province cannot only be done in the form of planting activities. In areas experiencing severe coastal abrasion, a building that functions as a barrier or breakwater is needed. Plant engineering techniques also need to be done. In addition, the economic problems of the community in the mangrove area also need to be considered," explained the Regional Secretary of Riau Province SF Hariyanto in his written remarks at the event.

SF Haryanto added, that to support the implementation of mangrove rehabilitation in Riau Province, the Riau Province Peat and Mangrove Restoration Team (TRGMD) has now been formed through Riau Governor Decree Number Kpts.871/ VIII/2021 dated August 18, 2021. support from all parties. In this regard, it is necessary to discuss the formation of a working group consisting of multi-stakeholders who are expected to be able to help accelerate peat restoration and mangrove rehabilitation in Riau Province properly,” he explained.

On the same occasion, the Assistant II of Riau Province Job Kurniawan also emphasized the importance of immediately establishing a multi-stakeholder forum. "It is hoped that the results of this discussion will be followed up with the establishment of a multi-stakeholder forum in Riau Province that will synergize with the Riau Province TRGMD. The criteria for prospective members must also be formulated, the stages of forming the forum, as well as the formation of a team of formators to carry out the stages and mechanisms for establishing and overseeing the issuance of the Riau Governor's Decree regarding multi-stakeholder forums," he explained.

The discussion resulted in the formation of a formation that will regulate and oversee the stages of formation and determination of the Regional Mangrove Working Group (KKMD).
"KKMD will be TRGMD's closest partner who will fill the void in TRGMD's role. The KKMD, which consists of multi-stakeholders, will play a role in carrying out the operational functions of mangrove restoration and management of mangrove ecosystems in Riau Province,” explained the Head of the Environment and Forestry Office of Riau Province, Mamun Murod.

"In its implementation, we are ready to support capacity building and strengthening the role of the Riau Province KKMD team towards better management of mangrove ecosystem restoration in Riau Province. For example, currently YKAN and the Bengkalis Regency Government are developing a mangrove ecosystem management model as a natural solution to climate change in Bengkalis Regency," concluded YKAN's MERA Program Director Muhammad Imran Amin.