Jakarta, 7 November 2024: Japan NUS Co., Ltd. (JANUS) and the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) hosted a consultation and dissemination workshop to engage stakeholders in mangrove conservation efforts. The workshop showcased outcomes from the pilot project ’Floating and Drifted Marine Plastics in Mangrove,’ focusing on two sites in Indonesia – Deli Serdang, North Sumatera, and Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
The semi-closed event welcomed 22 in-person and 58 online participants, including representatives from local government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and key stakeholders such as Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, Japan’s Ministry of Environment, the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, opened the event by stressing the urgency of innovative solutions to preserve mangrove ecosystems. Ms Irma Nurmayanti, Head of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control at Balikpapan Municipality, expressed gratitude for the pilot project, describing it as a catalyst for positive change in mangrove conservation.
Mr Keita Uchida, JANUS Project Leader, presented the project's objectives to reduce marine plastic litter in mangroves through sustainable, community-led cleanup systems. Initial surveys revealed household waste as the most prevalent type of waste in the targeted mangrove areas, underscoring the need for heightened public awareness.
The clean-up campaigns in August 2024 at Deli Serdang and Balikpapan, supported by local governments, universities, and environmental organisations, mobilised approximately 100 participants, including citizens, students, and fishermen. The campaigns inspired participants to sort waste more actively at home and conduct clean-ups in their local communities.
The workshop featured two panel discussions.
Plastic Waste Impacts on Mangrove Ecosystems
Dr Aji Wahyu Anggoro from Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) shared insights on YKAN’s conservation efforts in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, where LDPE plastics were predominant, and practical countermeasures like garbage barriers were implemented.
Dr Reza Cordova, representing the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Research Center for Oceanography, presented alarming findings from Pulau Rambut, revealing microplastics embedded up to 50 cm deep in mangrove sediments, some over 6 decades old.
Community and Educational Roles in Environmental Preservation
Dr Sukma Aditya Sitepu, from the Panca Budi University (UNPAB) and Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), emphasised the role of educational institutions in promoting long lasting environmental awareness.
Mr Paspha Ghaishindra, from Yayasan Inspirasi Keluarga KeSEMaT (IKAMaT), discussed empowering local communities for sustainable mangrove preservation, advocating for their active involvement in conservation initiatives.
The workshop concluded with discussions between ERIA, JANUS, and representatives from the local governments of North Sumatera and East Kalimantan. Participants shared challenges and aspirations, expressing hopes for continued initiatives that focus on behavioural approaches to waste management.
As a project outcome, JANUS is developing two practical community-led guidelines:
Conducting surveys to assess marine litter in mangroves.
Organising marine litter cleanup activities in mangroves.
These documents, aimed at replicating and scaling up such initiatives, will be available on the Regional Knowledge Centre’s website by early 2025.
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Jakarta, 7 November 2024: Japan NUS Co., Ltd. (JANUS) and the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) hosted a consultation and dissemination workshop to engage stakeholders in mangrove conservation efforts. The workshop showcased outcomes from the pilot project ’Floating and Drifted Marine Plastics in Mangrove,’ focusing on two sites in Indonesia – Deli Serdang, North Sumatera, and Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
The semi-closed event welcomed 22 in-person and 58 online participants, including representatives from local government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and key stakeholders such as Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment, Japan’s Ministry of Environment, the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, opened the event by stressing the urgency of innovative solutions to preserve mangrove ecosystems. Ms Irma Nurmayanti, Head of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control at Balikpapan Municipality, expressed gratitude for the pilot project, describing it as a catalyst for positive change in mangrove conservation.
Mr Keita Uchida, JANUS Project Leader, presented the project's objectives to reduce marine plastic litter in mangroves through sustainable, community-led cleanup systems. Initial surveys revealed household waste as the most prevalent type of waste in the targeted mangrove areas, underscoring the need for heightened public awareness.
The clean-up campaigns in August 2024 at Deli Serdang and Balikpapan, supported by local governments, universities, and environmental organisations, mobilised approximately 100 participants, including citizens, students, and fishermen. The campaigns inspired participants to sort waste more actively at home and conduct clean-ups in their local communities.
The workshop featured two panel discussions.
Plastic Waste Impacts on Mangrove Ecosystems
Dr Aji Wahyu Anggoro from Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) shared insights on YKAN’s conservation efforts in Muara Angke, North Jakarta, where LDPE plastics were predominant, and practical countermeasures like garbage barriers were implemented.
Dr Reza Cordova, representing the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Research Center for Oceanography, presented alarming findings from Pulau Rambut, revealing microplastics embedded up to 50 cm deep in mangrove sediments, some over 6 decades old.
Community and Educational Roles in Environmental Preservation
Dr Sukma Aditya Sitepu, from the Panca Budi University (UNPAB) and Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), emphasised the role of educational institutions in promoting long lasting environmental awareness.
Mr Paspha Ghaishindra, from Yayasan Inspirasi Keluarga KeSEMaT (IKAMaT), discussed empowering local communities for sustainable mangrove preservation, advocating for their active involvement in conservation initiatives.
The workshop concluded with discussions between ERIA, JANUS, and representatives from the local governments of North Sumatera and East Kalimantan. Participants shared challenges and aspirations, expressing hopes for continued initiatives that focus on behavioural approaches to waste management.
As a project outcome, JANUS is developing two practical community-led guidelines:
Conducting surveys to assess marine litter in mangroves.
Organising marine litter cleanup activities in mangroves.
These documents, aimed at replicating and scaling up such initiatives, will be available on the Regional Knowledge Centre’s website by early 2025.
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
