Mangrove: Harapan dan Kehidupan [Dokumenter] | Mangrove: Hope and Life [Documentary]

TLDR;

This video explores the crucial role of mangrove forests in Batu Ampar, Indonesia, focusing on their ecological significance and the community's dependence on them for social and economic well-being. It highlights traditional practices like crab fishing and charcoal production, while also examining sustainable alternatives such as Nipah processing, honey harvesting, and fish farming. The video also addresses challenges like over-exploitation and the need for collaborative efforts involving the government, private sector, and local communities to ensure the long-term health and prosperity of the mangrove ecosystem.

• Mangrove forests in Batu Ampar are vital for the local community's social and economic well-being.
• Traditional practices like crab fishing and charcoal production coexist with sustainable alternatives like Nipah processing and honey harvesting.
• Collaborative efforts involving government, private sector, and local communities are essential for the long-term health of the mangrove ecosystem.

Crab Fisherman's Daily Routine [0:26]

Jainudin, a crab fisherman, prepares for his daily work by using betutu fish as bait for the crabs. He carefully attaches pieces of the fish to his traps, hoping for a bountiful catch. He navigates his boat through the mangrove forest, about 2 km from his home, using a smaller boat to reach deeper locations. With years of experience, Zainudin knows the area well and easily remembers where he placed his traps.

Mangrove Ecosystem in Batu Ampar [3:02]

Zainuddin strategically places his traps in a tributary surrounded by lush mangrove trees. Mangrove forests are described as interconnected ecosystems where plants, animals, water, soil, air, and humans support each other. Indonesia has 3.31 million hectares of mangrove forest, with 129,000 hectares in the Batu Ampar area of Kubur Raya Regency. These forests are rich in biodiversity, housing endemic species like proboscis monkeys and 67 types of mangrove species, including the protected bruguera hainesi and kandelia kandel. Mangroves prevent coastal abrasion and support fish farming, benefiting the community.

Dependence on Mangrove Forests [5:56]

For the Batu Ampar community, mangrove forests play a significant role in their social and economic lives. They have relied on mangrove forest products like wood and non-wood resources for generations, making it a deeply ingrained part of their culture. The community's daily needs, especially for fishermen, are heavily dependent on the health and sustainability of the forest ecosystem.

Challenges in Crab Fishing [6:53]

Jainudin hopes to catch 7 kg of crabs, but on this particular day, luck is not on his side. Out of 33 traps, he only catches one crab. He explains that many villagers are searching for crabs, leading to shared fortunes. Jainudin has been a crab fisherman for many years, highlighting the community's long-standing reliance on this resource.

Charcoal Industry and Selective Logging [9:57]

Since the 1920s, the utilization of mangrove wood for charcoal production has been a key industry in Batu Ampar. There are 393 active charcoal kitchens, employing over 14% of the population in logging, transportation, burning, packaging, and distribution. The charcoal industry is a job passed down through generations, but it doesn't align with current policies. The community practices selective logging, avoiding cutting down large trees that are needed for seed production, and adhering to a 100-meter cutting restriction from the shoreline.

Sustainable Alternatives and Community Development [13:07]

Efforts are being made to shift from charcoal production to other livelihoods. NGOs are helping the community develop sustainable practices, such as replanting mangroves. Pomegranates, an 80-year-old resident, uses Nipah plants to make mats and bags. Nipah leaves and stems are processed into roofs, with one roof piece valued at 3,000 IDR, showing the economic potential of sustainable alternatives.

Nipah Processing and Forest Honey Harvesting [13:54]

Pomegranates makes a living from processing Nipah leaves, while Haris harvests forest honey. Haris uses a tool and a combination of dry and wet leaves to smoke the bees away from the nest before harvesting the honey. He has been harvesting forest honey for over 10 years, implementing a sustainable harvest system by leaving part of the nest for the bee colony to regenerate.

Sustainable Honey Harvesting and Mangrove Conservation [18:15]

Haris leaves part of the nest so that the bee colony can regenerate periodically. Each nest can produce up to 1 liter of honey. Forest honey from mangrove trees has a unique sweet, sour, and salty taste and sells for 100,000 IDR per 600 ml bottle in the local market. Haris's sustainable harvesting has a big impact on the mangrove forest ecosystem.

Collaborative Conservation Efforts [19:59]

Efforts include planting, rehabilitating, and finding income solutions for the community that align with conservation rules. The RDD plus climate change working group evaluates the carbon stored in mangroves, recognizing that mangroves store five times more carbon than forests. The Kuburaya Regency Government is preparing the mangrove forest area as a World Mangrove Center, uniting stakeholders to manage the mangrove potential.

Private Sector Involvement and Ecosystem Restoration [22:01]

Mangrove management involves the private sector, including PT Ecosystem Hatulistiwa Lestari, which focuses on ecosystem restoration. The long-term benefits of ecosystem restoration, such as forest cover and biodiversity, are emphasized. The government's strategy aims to achieve shared ideals through cooperation and involvement of many parties.

Alternative Economic Development [23:20]

Several points have been made into a community of Pesisir Nipa sugar. Jeruju tea production has also begun to be developed. Batu Ampar supports the cultivation of stingless bee honey, encouraging other residents to follow suit. Alternative economic development focuses on production, distribution, and marketing.

Challenges and New Business Alternatives [24:17]

The crab-eating goat business stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to the search for new business alternatives. Fish farming is being explored as a more stable market. While the price of fish meat is lower than crab meat, the focus is on cultivating fish for their air bubbles, which are priced exponentially based on size and quality.

Improving Community Welfare [26:08]

The development of new economic potentials is expected to improve the welfare of the community in Batu Ampar. These economic potentials depend heavily on a healthy environmental ecosystem, ensuring forest sustainability and economic prosperity for the community.