Management of mangrove exploitation in Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia mangrove vegetation covers an area of about 3.8 million hectares. The export value of charcoal, logs. woodchips and other mangrove products was US$4.1 million in 1978. Until 1970 the allocation of mangrove resources was handled by provincial authorities. Since 1970 concessions for areas greater than 100 ha have been controlled by the central government. The sites under central government concession cover an area of 455 000 ha. This area is divided between 13 major concessions permitting a total maximum annual allowable cut of 599 200m 3. In areas under concession, regulation requires that a system of selective cutting combined with seed-tree-based natural regeneration should be applied. A clear-cutting system has been recommended to increase log production. Preliminary studies in different regions show considerable differences in the regeneration process. In Kalimantan it has been shown that. following clear-cutting in alternative strips, regeneration consisted primarily of Rhizophora whilst that of Bruguiera was minimal. Preliminary observations in Sulawesi have shown that no mangrove of commercial value has regenerated. Instead a succession of undergrowth comprising Acanthus ilicifolius and Acrostichum aureum has appeared. The Directorate General of Fisheries of the Indonesian government has recently recommended the establishment of a 400 m-wide ‘green belt’ of mangrove along all shores where mangrove should normally be found and where conditions are still favourable for mangrove growth. The Directorate General of Forestry is also seeking to re-establish former mangrove areas for production forest. Conflicts have arisen in the implementation of these policies, particularly in locations occupied by brackish water fishponds. A compromise in the form of mangrove cum fish culture was introduced. However, the success of this type of culture is questionable.