EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — For the residents of Pari Island in the Thousand Islands Regency, planting mangroves is far more than a greening activity. Mangroves serve as a natural barrier that protects their homes from coastal erosion, provides a habitat for marine life, and helps sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities.
This message was conveyed by Asmania, a fisherwoman and Chairperson of the Pari Island Women’s Group, during a mangrove planting activity involving 500 mangrove seedlings alongside students from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) at Rengge Beach, Pari Island, on Monday (June 8, 2026).
Asmania, affectionately known as Teh AA, is a mother of three. Together with her husband, who also works as a fisherman, she depends on the health of the sea and the coastal environment of Pari Island for her family’s livelihood.
According to her, the mangrove planting activity involving UPNVJ students proceeded smoothly. The high tide conditions on that day also supported the planting process along the coastal area.
“Thankfully, the mangrove planting activity went smoothly. Today’s high tide conditions were very favorable, making it an ideal time for planting,” said Asmania.
She expressed her appreciation to the UPNVJ students who came and worked directly alongside the women’s group of Pari Island in preserving the coastal environment.
“We are grateful to the students from UPN Veteran Jakarta for contributing to this mangrove planting activity together with us, the women’s group of Pari Island,” she remarked.
Mangrove planting efforts on Pari Island have been carried out continuously by the local community. Asmania explained that thousands of mangrove trees have already been planted across various locations, stretching from the western to the eastern parts of the island.
“In total, we have planted thousands of mangroves throughout the Pari Island cluster. We have planted them across both the western and eastern areas,” she explained.
The planting initiatives are not limited to Rengge Beach but also extend to several community-managed coastal areas, including Perawan Beach and Bintang Beach. These efforts are aimed at strengthening the island’s natural protection against coastal erosion and environmental changes affecting coastal ecosystems.
Asmania emphasized that mangroves hold significant importance for communities living on small islands. Their root systems help retain sediment and reduce the impact of ocean waves on shorelines.
“Mangroves serve a very important function for those of us living in coastal areas. They act as a sea fence for island communities,” she stated.
For the people of Pari Island, mangroves are also directly linked to the sustainability of fishing livelihoods. Once mature, mangrove forests provide shelter, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for fish and various marine species.
“In the future, when these mangroves have fully grown, this area will become a home for fish and an integral part of the marine ecosystem of Pari Island,” she said.
Beyond protecting coastlines and providing habitats for marine life, mangroves also play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. This capability makes mangrove ecosystems essential in addressing climate change while maintaining the ecological balance of coastal environments.
The involvement of the Pari Island Women’s Group demonstrates that coastal women play a vital role in promoting environmental sustainability. In addition to supporting their fishing families, they stand at the forefront of mangrove planting, maintenance, and conservation efforts.
For Asmania, protecting both the marine and terrestrial environments of Pari Island is a shared responsibility. A well-preserved environment will determine the sustainability of local livelihoods and the future of the children who will continue living on the island.
She also encouraged young people to remain committed to environmental stewardship.
“To young people and everyone out there who cares about the environment, let us continue to protect our environment, our seas, and our land for future generations,” she urged.
According to her, environmental conservation efforts must begin now to ensure that future generations can enjoy better living conditions and more sustainable sources of livelihood.
“The next generation deserves a better quality of life. Therefore, we must continue to protect both our seas and our land together,” she added.
The collaboration between UPNVJ students and the Pari Island community illustrates that environmental conservation requires the active participation of various stakeholders. The presence of the students not only contributed to increasing the number of trees planted but also strengthened the community’s commitment to safeguarding their living environment.
Through mangrove planting, the students and local residents planted more than just tree seedlings. They planted protection for the island, a habitat for marine life, and hope that future generations will continue to live and earn a livelihood from a healthy and sustainable coastal ecosystem.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
