Green Coastal Fortress in Brebes: 3,700 Mangroves Planted in Randusanga Kulon to Fight Abrasion

Brebes Kartininews.com - As many as 3,700 mangrove seedlings were planted along the coast of Randusanga Kulon Village, Brebes District. The mangrove planting serves as a concrete effort to build a green fortress to protect the coastal area from abrasion, which has long been eroding aquaculture ponds and residential areas, on Friday (5/6/2026).

The activity, held in conjunction with World Environment Day, involved relevant Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) within the Brebes Regency Government, the Commander of the Kluwut Indonesian Navy POS in Brebes Regency, the Regional Forestry Service Branch V, the West Region Marine Service Branch of Central Java Province, the village government, and various elements of the community.

Head of the Brebes Regency Environmental Agency (DLH), Mochamad Sodiq, stated that the level of abrasion in Randusanga Kulon is currently quite high, requiring concrete steps to reduce its impact. One such measure is the planting of mangroves, which function as a natural protector for coastal areas.

“The abrasion rate is already high, so today we are trying to plant 3,700 mangroves. We hope they will all survive and grow, so that abrasion in Randusanga Kulon Village can be prevented,” he said.

According to Sodiq, mangrove planting is part of the commitment to preserving the environment and the sustainability of coastal areas. He invited the community to participate in greening movements by planting trees in their respective environments.

“Regarding World Environment Day, let us care for the environment. At the very least, one person plants one tree, whether in their home yard or in coastal areas and mangrove forests,” he urged.

Head of Randusanga Kulon Village, Afan Setiono, appreciated the support from various parties, ranging from the Brebes Regency Government, regional apparatus organizations, to the Regional Forestry Service and the West Region Marine Service of Central Java Province, which continue to pay attention to the abrasion problem in his area.

He explained that abrasion has had a broad impact on community life, and at certain times, seawater often floods residential areas.

“With this mangrove planting, it is one step to prevent the spread of abrasion in Randusanga Kulon Village. Mangrove trees are excellent for withstanding the force of waves from the sea,” he said.

Afan added that during high tide phenomena—locally known as *peteruhan*—four RW (neighborhood associations) are frequently flooded. In some cases, seawater even enters residents’ homes to a height of about one meter.

Therefore, he continued, mangrove planting needs to be continuously promoted. In addition to protecting the coastline, mangroves can also increase sedimentation, which has a positive impact on the sustainability of aquaculture ponds and the economic activities of coastal communities.

As a form of support, residents with fish ponds have begun independently planting mangrove propagules. The program will be expanded after the propagule harvest period in July, while also serving as a conservation effort that directly involves the community.

“We will also provide protection for the mangroves planted by the community because their benefits are very significant in preventing abrasion in the Randusanga Kulon area,” Afan emphasized.

Meanwhile, Representative of the West Region Marine Service Branch (CDK) of Central Java Province, Adi Purwanto, affirmed the provincial government’s commitment to continuously supporting the preservation of coastal areas in Brebes. His agency even targets an additional planting of 5,000 mangrove seedlings next year.