Indonesia has one-quarter of the world’s mangrove forests, but it’s losing them at a rate of 6 percent a year.
The government said the mangrove forest destruction has reached an alarming level.
With damage to 70 percent of the mangrove forests, it’s vital to preserve what’s left and replant more.
As Rumondang Nainggolan reports, a village in Brebes, Central Java has found a unique way of protecting their mangrove forests.
Romli is 60 years old, but he says he’s fit and ready for his new role.
“I’m now a member of the mangrove police, I’m doing this for free to protect my village from abrasion.”
Romli is part of the Pandansari Village’s mangrove police force in Brebes, which goes out on patrol every day.
They’re local people recruited to protect the village’s mangrove forests, says Rusjan, head of the Mangrove Sari Community.
“We
have six teams of mangrove police. We carry out routine patrols to
guard the coast from people trying to steal wood from our mangrove
forests. We also have a sea patrol; we’re using three boats now. Every
time there’s a report of illegal logging from our villagers, they let us
know using their cell phones. Everything is faster now.”
