2024 Batam Pantai Setokok Mangrove

Explored Batam Pantai Setokok Beachfront area to learn about the mangrove in this area as part of the field study for Geography Symposium 2025. The programme was hosted by a member from Free the Sea – part of the WIK Group. We looked into the impact of coastal erosion as well as the effects of the loss of this mangrove area. 

Local outreach and education programme to get the locals to be aware of the damage of the mangrove ecosystem and the mangrove restoration as well as replanting programme. 

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Diyanah, a local (right) and Wati from the social enterprise free the sea (left) Sharing with us more about the reforestation project at Pantai Setoko.  The government has selected the location as most of the mangrove in the area was cleared for making charcoal and there are coastal erosion. Livelihood of the local fishermen are also threatened as the catch dwindled.

The project started in 2021 and the President of Indonesia planted 3.

They replanted 3 species of Rhizophora and one species of Bruguiera.

Benefits

• Mangrove propagule made into flour which can be sold, increasing the income of the locals
• Infrastructure such as a road has been built to connect the island to mainland Batam. Diyanah mentioned she had to take a boat to mainland Batam when she was younger.
• The shrimps and small fishes are returning to the area resulting in higher catch for the fisherman.

Coastal erosion

There are plans to develop ecotourism in the area.

Planting by President Joko

The volunteer showed us how the young seedlings are transplanted.

The original Mangrove in the background with the new mangrove in the foreground 

Young mangrove plants stretching 50metres into the sea. You can see the exposed prop roots of the Rhizophora. 

The mangrove propagule planted in the nursery 

The propagule planted in the nursery are kept there for 3 months. Some of these young plants are also sold to other parts of Batam for reforestation or afforestation projects.

Mud lobster mound

You can see the knee-like roots of the Bruguiera. 

As shown in the foreground, the roots of the tree are exposed indicating coastal erosion. The young mangrove are planted in neat rows in the water stretching to 50metres from the coast.

The group of teachers at Pantai Setokok, Batam on 12 Nov 2024 to learn more about the reforestation of mangrove.