The Role of the Community in Teluk Pambang in Preserving the Largest Mangrove Ecosystem on Bengkalis Island
Teluk Pambang Village in Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, has approximately 950 hectares of mangrove forest, serving as a crucial defense for the ecosystem and a source of livelihood for coastal communities. However, the presence of the largest mangrove forest on Bengkalis Island continues to face various threats, ranging from mangrove logging for charcoal to land conversion for shrimp farms or plantations.
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YKAN recognizes that the preservation of mangroves near settlements can only be achieved through the active involvement of local communities. By granting rights, such as legal rights to sustainably utilize forest products, the community will not only feel ownership but also develop a vested interest in maintaining the mangroves' preservation. This principle underpins YKAN's initiative to facilitate the establishment of the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) in Teluk Pambang Village.
This process involves 179 residents forming ten groups. Using a social forestry scheme, this LPHD can be proposed to become a Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS), which has legal rights to manage the forest sustainably. Teluk Pambang Village is initiating two KUPS: the Honeybee Cultivation KUPS and the Mangrove Biota KUPS.
Through these efforts, it is hoped that the community will actively participate in preserving the mangroves and sustainably utilizing forest products. With the full support of the local community, the vital mangrove ecosystem on Bengkalis Island will be preserved for future generations.
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