Coastal Community Resilience Workshop in East Java
The importance of developing coastal community resilience, YAGASU (Indonesia) and GEI (China) together with partners from the East and Southeast Asia Community Conservation Network (EASACCN) again facilitated regional collaboration in marine and coastal conservation through a workshop with the theme “Coastal Community Resilience”. This activity designed in the form of training and filed visits to the Yagasu project location. This activity was carried out in East Java on August 26-31, 2024 which was attended by several communities from various countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia including GEI (China), Huaqiao University (China) , Institute of Oceanology (China), Zhoushan Lanhai Public (China), China Blue (China), Malaysian Nature Society (Malaysia), Myanmar Forest Association (Myanmar), The NGO Forum On (Cambodia), Oceanus (Philippines), and YAGASU (Indonesia).
Starting the workshop, Deden Suhendi, S.Hut. MM, Head of Watershed Management and Social Forestry of the East Java Provincial Forestry Service, said that “East Java has a mangrove potential of 51,000 ha. In 2022, the Governor of East Java issued a policy to support the restoration of critical land and mangroves”. The representative of the East Java Forestry Service also revealed that one of the collaborations between the East Java Forestry Service and YAGASU is to hold the JATIM Mangrove Festival in 2022. YAGASU and the JATIM Forestry Service are committed to jointly implementing critical land restoration activities throughout East Java”.
Yunzhu (GEI) said, “The purpose of this program is to connect and communicate with various agencies and communities that focus on handling climate change and the environment, especially the coast.
On the same occasion, Yagasu CEO Bambang Suprayogi explained, “The activities carried out for one week include a program to raise awareness of the importance of coastal conservation in Pasuruan, carbon measurement in Probolinggo, and a visit to Baluran National Park in Situbondo”. Bambang said “YAGASU’s blue carbon project has been registered through VERRA Carbon Credits and has been running in 13 provinces in Indonesia. In addition, YAGASU also concentrates on the field of coral and seagrass transplantation which has been running in Situbondo.
On the first day of the activity, the participants presented various topics including (GEI) “Protection of marine ecosystem species and community development”. (China Blue) discussed “Conservation and tourism activities in coastal areas of China, especially in Beigang Village”. (Zhoushan Lanhai Public) discussed “How to conserve marine biota and also work together with local communities packaged in handicraft making activities, biodiversity patrols, marine waste recycling, learning about reducing plastic waste and tourism. (Fugong Forestry Workstation of Longhai District Forest Beureau) discussed “Mangrove conservation at the mouth of the Chiu Lung River”. (Oceanus Foundation) discussed “Bird migration and distribution of mangroves in the Philippines”. (Myanmar Forest Association) discussed “Sustainable mangrove conservation and community development in Myanmar”. (Institute of Oceanology) discussed “Seagrass conservation with seed collection, sowing, and planting activities”. (Malaysian Nature Society) discussed “Seagrass beds as a home for marine species and threats to seagrass habitats by humans and nature”. (Huaqiao University) discussed “Exploration and practice of sustainable development patterns of Chinese horseshoe crab conservation communities in Fujian, China”. (Dandi and Imam – YAGASU) discussed “Remote sensing and spatial analysis including identification and verification methodology of potential land projects”. While Grace (YAGASU) discussed “Carbon assessment in mangrove ecosystems”.
Continuing the activities on the second day by visiting various places including SDN 2 Patuguran to conduct awareness activities, namely environmental education for students in grades 5 and 6. Furthermore, all participants visited the workshop house for processed mangrove products of the Mina Sentosa women’s group , Patuguran Village, Pasuruan to find out about the various types of processed mangrove products that have been produced. The products that have been produced include mangrove dawet, syrup, chips and mangrove nuggets. Ending the activities on the second day, all participants visited the mangrove forest in Dringu, Probolinggo to measure carbon in an 18-year-old mangrove forest using a non-destructive method, where the Rhizophora mucronata species is the dominant type, followed by Bruguiera spp. and Avicennia . spp is a co-dominant species.
Next, on the third day, all participants visited Baluran National Park to see the sustainability of the ecosystem in Baluran National Park. According to Ade (Baluran Forestry Police), “There are 4 zones in Baluran National Park, including the primary forest zone, savanna zone, mangrove forest zone, and marine zone. In addition, in Baluran National Park there are protected fauna, namely the Javan Banteng ( Bos javanicus ), Leopard ( Panthera pardus ), Hawksbill Turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ), Peacock ( Pavo muticus ), Buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ), and Timor Deer ( Cervus timorensis ).
On the fourth day of the visit, all participants carried out a coral transplantation movement in Pasir Putih Village, Situbondo Regency. This activity was carried out in the Watu Kenong area which is the target location for saving the underwater ecosystem. The method used for coral reef transplantation is the wireframe method six square model . This movement was also attended by representatives of the Situbondo Fisheries and Marine Service, where he appreciated YAGASU for its dedication and efforts in organizing coral reef transplantation activities that not only help rehabilitate marine ecosystems, but also educate and inspire the younger generation to care about the environment.
On the fifth day, all participants received material on calculating and monitoring carbon absorption with Remote Sensing and GIS. In this discussion, the Remote Sensing session instructor, Mukhammad Muryono, said, “Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring radiation reflected and emitted from a distance (usually from satellites or airplanes)”. He also said, “An efficient methodology for carbon calculation is the use of remote sensing and GIS, in the form of a vegetation index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) or often called NDVI through processing on software such as ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine”. After the discussion, all participants also took the time to visit a batik house. At the batik house, participants practiced organic batik, YAGASU taught basic batik techniques, from making designs, applying wax, to the coloring and washing process that maintains the authenticity of the material. By using natural dyes, participants not only learn to make beautiful batik, but also gain knowledge on how to maintain a healthy ecosystem through the selection of materials and processes used.
On the last day, which is the sixth day, participants presented conservation project designs packaged into a coastal blue carbon project development plan. The instructor in this session was guided by Mr. Erwin who in his opportunity conveyed “The first thing to do when designing a blue carbon conservation project is to find out the main conclusions of the project, then determine the objectives, methodology, and funding plan, which are supported by basic information such as background, problems, targets, approaches, activity planning, timeline, funding strategy, stakeholders involved, impacts, and project monitoring and evaluation”. In addition to increasing capacity in implementing coastal blue carbon projects, Yagasu and GEI in October 2024 will also conduct training on the implementation of agroforestry as a form of increasing the resilience of watersheds (DAS) and terrestrial areas in reducing the impacts of climate change and sustainable livelihoods.
