First KONSURV 2024 Monitoring, Revealing Challenges and Mangrove Maintenance Efforts in Mundu Village
The KONSURV 2024 monitoring team consisting of members of the Marine Science and Technology Student Association (Himiteka) of IPB University conducted the first monitoring of the mangrove planting initiative in Mundu Village, Cirebon, West Java. This monitoring aims to assess the success of the planting and the influence of conservation actions carried out since July 2024.
From the monitoring results, 763 mangrove seedlings were found dead, most of which were caused by natural events such as drowning and large waves. To address this, the monitoring team replanted 200 seedlings with a planting strategy of one stake for two propagules, and a further 113 seedlings will be planted the following day with the help of a crew from Mundu Village.
In addition, trash, especially bamboo fragments, was seen piling up at the mouths of other rivers, affecting the environmental conditions of Mundu Village.
Nursin, leader of the Mundu Village mangrove community, stated that the development of mangrove tourism in this area is still very important as Cirebon is a significant stopover point. The place is visited by around 1.200 visitors every day.
“This proves that the potential of mangrove tourism in Mundu needs to be developed. However, the main focus is to improve the quality of infrastructure,” said Nursin. According to him, the biggest obstacle at the moment is the lack of infrastructure access between Mundu Pesisir and the estuary, which has not been connected due to miscommunication during construction.
The activity also identified efforts to improve the quality of the adjacency as the next improvement step, scheduled for March 2025. This conservation effort is projected to be carried out without increasing the size of the planting area until the existing seedlings reach their full potential.
“KONSURV should not stop at the initial planting. There must be continuity so that the benefits of conservation can be felt in the next 4-5 years,” said Vania Zafira, Chairperson of KONSURV 2024.
Mundu Village has experienced substantial economic development over the past ten years. The number of fishing boats has decreased from 42 in 2010 to less than ten today.
A 2,5 percent decrease in income and tax is considered burdensome for fishermen, especially those with boats larger than 30 gross tonnage (GT). Currently, most people there choose to work as project coolies or as Indonesian migrant workers (TKI).
“Based on the results of this monitoring, we and the local community hope to continue to strengthen cooperation in protecting mangroves and infrastructure that supports ecotourism,” said Vania. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
