Mbah Warso, Protecting Mangroves to Keep the Anchor Coast Breathing

Knowledge becomes easier to understand because ecosystems can be seen, touched and observed directly.

In 2022, the Wana Tirta Group received assistance to build a 152 meter track from the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

The track was built to make it easier for people to explore the area without destroying the mangrove habitat. Its existence also provides added value for environmental education activities and tourist visits.

Keeping What Has Grown

Planting mangroves is often an activity that attracts attention. People come, bring seeds, and plant them together. However, the real work begins after the planting event is complete.

Seedlings must be inspected. Damaged plants need to be replaced. Trash stuck must be cleaned. The area needs to be maintained so that the planted mangroves actually grow into forests.

That is the long work that Mbah Warso and the members of the Wana Tirta Group have undertaken.

From their hands, muddy areas grew into homes for birds, fish, crabs and various coastal plants. Mangroves provide protection, knowledge and economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.

Mbah Warso may not talk much about big terms such as climate change mitigation or sustainable development. However, what he did explained all that in the simplest way.