Evaluation and Planning of Mangrove Restoration Programs in Sedari Village of Kerawang District, West Java: Contribution of PHE-ONWJ Coastal Development Programs

Abstract

PERTAMINA Hulu Energy-Offshore North West Java (PHE-ONWJ), conducted a mangrove restoration activities in Sedari Village, Kerawang District. The program was conducted in collaboration with local community, which is named Mangrove Care Parents (OTAP/Orang Tua Asuh Pohon). The program is to assess the survivor rate of the planted mangrove; to evaluate factors that cause which influence the growth of the mangrove planted; and to plan an appropriate future mangrove restoration. The program consists of six phases. The current program consist of four phases. The phase 1 was started in 2012 on sedari riverbank and it was unsuccessful. The results of monitoring showed that, of the 15.000 seedlings planted only 2141 plants survived (14,3% in 2014). The high mortality of the planted plants was due to disposal of dregded material from river deepening project. This accident happened was due to lack of coordination with local governments. The phase 2 was started on November 2013 by planting 3.000 seedlings in Karang Sari Orchard. Lessons learned from the failure suggest that monitorning should be done more frequent, i.e. monthly, and if there are dead seedlings, replanting new seedling were applied (called “tambal sulam”). The phase 3 and 4 was started in March and June 2014 each by planting 10.000 seedlings on abandoned fishponds in Tirta Sari Orchard and Tanjung Sari Orchard. The phase 5 and 6 will be done by the end of this year, the preparation was done by defining of locations of lands and signing agreements with land owner. The evaluation done by analyzing the soil texture in order to know the suitability between soil texture and mangrove species. Phase 1 untill 4, the mangrove species were suitable with the soil texture. Planning for mangrove restoration programs on phase 5 and 6 were selecting appropriate mangrove species to be planted. The soil texture on phase 5 were Clay, the suitable mangrove species were Rhizophora mucronata and R. stylosa. Meanwhile on phase 6 the soil texture were Silty Clay, so the suitable mangrove species were Avicennia alba, Rhizophora mucronata, and R. stylosa. Beside the suitability between the soil texture and the mangrove species planted, the research recommend a survey of awareness level of stakeholders and the knowledge on the mangrove function and benefit.