Managing mangrove forest in Bintan Island: socio-economic benefits of climate change mitigation and adaptation

Abstract

In Climate Change mitigation, mangroves have an important role as one of the most effective and economic methods of offsetting carbon emissions and protecting shoreline erosion. Mangroves in Indonesia have a total area of 2.9 million hectares, 52 thousand hectares of them disappear every year and aquaculture is responsible for 40 percent. In contrast, with the level of mangroves damage threats is high, the level of sustainable ecosystem awareness is low. In accordance with previous studies, mangroves forests in Bintan Island have been cut down to supply combustion and ended up into charcoal. However, it can be minimized by enabling the local communities to avail themselves of carbon offset/conservation payments under approved climate change mitigation strategic-plans. The law enforcement of Law no 32 Year 2009 and the PERDA No. 14/2007 about neighboring Bintan Island Regional Coastal Planning were designed to support the Mangroves Conservation in Bintan Island. This paper aimed to examine mangrove ecosystem management through the collection of data and information on the socio‐economic in 8 potential villages in Bintan; Busung, Kuala Sempang, Penaga, Pengujan, Bintan Buyu, Tembeling, Mantang Baru and Sebong Lagoi. This study found Busung, Kuala Sempang, Penaga and Pengujan as 4 potential Villages to be seriously developed and recommends the government to gain more partnerships in arranging and solving mangroves conservation problems.