Commemorating World Mangrove Day, Cargill Inaugurates Mangrove Arboretum and Invites 16,000 Mangrove Planting Activity

Gresik, East Java, July 25, 2024. To commemorate World Mangrove Day that falls on July 26, Cargill with its partners, Adipavitra Equatorial Eagle Foundation (YEKA), Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) and the Manyar Sidomukti village authority, inaugurated Mangrove Arboretum and planted 16,000 mangrove seedlings together with more than 100 members of local communities and stakeholders.

Sriyanto, Director of Adipavitra Equatorial Eagle Foundation said, "The Kalimireng’s mangrove ecosystem in Manyar district, Gresik is a coastal ecosystem rich in biodiversity. However, this ecosystem is under threats from land conversion, irresponsible industrial activities, and domestic waste disposal. The planting activity aims to increase mangrove populations and species diversity, and to reduce the risk of erosion at community ponds site along the Kalimireng riverside. We planted the seedlings in two locations, i.e., 10,000 seedlings in the community ponds next to Manyarsidomukti village’s camping ground, and 6,000 seedlings in the riverbank area by the JIIPE industrial zone.”

Adi Suprayitno, Gresik Admin & Relations Manager, Food Solutions Southeast Asia, Cargill, added, "In line with our commitment to enable a water positive impact in our communities by 2030, the mangrove planting is an important initiative to protect the coastal ecosystem in the Manyar area. In addition, we aspire that the newly inaugurated Mangrove Arboretum to function as valuable education center where the local community can learn about mangrove plants and are encouraged to preserve mangroves ecosystem in Kalimireng Manyar sustainably."

Moeryono, PhD, from ITS, said  "As academics, we are committed to supporting environmental conservation efforts through research and educational activities for the Manyar’s community. The mangrove education program at the Arboretum includes the introduction of 27 species of mangroves native in Kalimireng, mangrove seedling process, and the potential economic value from mangrove plants as food products, batik crafts, and so on."

The construction of the mangrove arboretum and the planting of 16,000 mangrove seedlings are the second phase from the Kalimireng Blue Mangrove program series since 2021. The program series aim to increase the population and diversity of the mangrove ecosystem in Kalimireng, as conservation, education and recreation zone.