Mangroves, often called the “green fortresses” of our coasts, are disappearing at an alarming rate. If the drift continues, we could lose one of these ecosystems in the next few centuries. According to IUCN, (2024) more than half of the world's mangrove ecosystems are at risk of extinction or loss by 2050. In previous research by Arifanti et al., (2022) mangrove forests are one of the important carbon sinks, which is relevant to the condition of 24% of mangrove forests in the world in Indonesia. This is supposed by Aye et al., (2023), that mangroves are woody plants which are highly salt tolerant and grow on tropical and subtropical coasts in various parts of the world. 

In current issues, threats to mangrove ecosystems include mangrove logging for firewood or building materials and fishing that destroys mangrove habitats. This is consistent with research from Smithsonian Institution (2016), that changes in nutrient availability in coastal ecosystems can alter or eliminate plant biodiversity. Therefore, the loss of biodiversity in coastal ecosystems, including species of fish, birds and marine animals, disrupts the balance of nature. However, habitat destruction and environmental changes disrupt food chains, threatening the survival of various species. For that reason, these disturbances can cause ecological imbalances that affect the entire coastal system and the life within it to be damaged and lost.

To anticipate this condition, the government have to carry out Restoration and Rehabilitation to solve and keep Mangroves in this current situation, which is also in line with the Indonesian government that the Indonesian government from 2020 to 2030 has made policy interventions where there is already follow-up from the respective Ministries, including the national mangrove reforestation and restoration program (Arifanti et al., 2022). Additionally, two provinces in Indonesia have mangrove restoration programs: Bali and Sulawesi. For instance, one area of Indonesia that is rehabilitating is the Government of North Sulawesi, where the government is in the process of rehabilitating 25 hectares of mangrove forest in 2023 (Rosalia Piri, 2023). In addition, the condition of mangrove forests in Sulawesi Government can be seen in Figure 1.1 below:

                                              Figure: 1.1 Data Resources: Rosalia Piri, (2023)

On the other hand, Indonesia can make one of the applications that can make it easier for people to be able to do virtual mangrove tree planting activities. This has been done in the Philippines, where they have used the GForest Application to make it easier for Philippine citizens to take real action in planting mangrove forests virtually (Johnson et al., 2024). Therefore, the real action carried out by the Philippines can also be applied in Indonesia as one of the following technological advances in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where later people can make donations so that the results of collecting donations can be made to restore one of the nature-based solutions that can prevent climate change in coastal communities by virtual donations and campaign in the application directly.

Moreover, coastal villages in Indonesia are still experiencing the problem of diminishing mangrove forests.  In addition, approximately 24% of Margrove revenue in 2023 will come from Indonesia's problems related to this disease (Rosalia Piri, 2023). Therefore, a similar thing is happening in the Philippines, where the Philippines is also involved, and the Fish Rights Initiative is doing a better job of protecting mangroves there. If you look at Indonesia's current conditions, similar actions to the Fish Rights Initiative in the Philippines can be carried out to be able to provide real action for Indonesia in preserving biodiversity on the coast. Therefore, the government have to ensure that all relevant parties work together, both now and in the future, to achieve this goal, starting with the government, local government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the community in educating and monitoring the program will be able to run well and according to the previous plan.

Now is the time to save the mangroves where every mangrove saved is a concrete step towards a much better planet for a sustainable future for coastal communities in Indonesia. Moreover, mangroves are not just trees that grow on the coast, but a lifeline for the planet, so the collaboration of both government and stakeholders will ensure that the green bastion will remain standing tall for generations to come.