Publication

Indonesia’s Mangrove Restoration: Practical Approaches for Coastal Protection and Climate Action

Despite their critical importance, Indonesia's mangroves face significant threats from deforestation, land conversion, and climate change. Recognizing this, the Indonesian government has prioritized mangrove restoration as a core part of its national climate action strategy. This commitment aligns with national policies and international agreements like the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Ministry of Environment and Forestry aims to rehabilitate 80,000 hectares of mangroves between 2025 and 2029. However, the path to successful restoration is paved with challenges. Key hurdles include governance issues such as land tenure disputes, unclear mandates, and a persistent gender gap in meaningful participation. Environmental factors like poor site selection and disrupted hydrology also pose significant problems. Socio-economic barriers, such as weak incentives for local communities and limited access to capacity building and markets for women, further complicate efforts. Finally, infrastructure limitations, including inaccessible sites and inadequate monitoring systems, hinder effective implementation and oversight.