Jakarta Aquarium Commemorates International Mangrove Day

JAKARTA

On July 26, 2015, UNESCO officially designated International Mangrove Day in the document “Proclamation of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.” International Mangrove Day was used as a momentum for many parties in the past decade to take action and give voice to campaigns related to the importance of preserving and improving the management of mangrove ecosystems in the world.

“As one of the ex situ conservation institutions that care for the environment, Jakarta Aquarium is also commemorating the day by inviting employees and visitors to contribute to the environment by donating mangrove seedlings. Donation programs for mangrove seedlings were taken from each visitor ticket purchased from June 25 to July 19, 2019 plus donations from all of Jakarta Aquarium’s employees,” said Danang Ambar Kreshno, the Public Relations Manager of the Jakarta Aquarium.

The planting activity was carried out on July 26, along with the celebrations of International Mangrove Day and carried out on Tidung Kecil Island, Thousand Islands, DKI Jakarta. The planting process was carried out by employee representatives along with leaders from PT Jakarta Aquarium Indonesia, with the help of the Tidung Island Supervisory Society Group.

The number of seeds planted was 673, according to the funds obtained from donations. After planting the seedlings, signage was installed to indicate the planting area of the Jakarta Aquarium mangrove, which would then be guarded by the Tidung Island Supervisory Community Group. This activity can run successfully with the support of visitors to the Jakarta Aquarium, the Tidung Island Supervisory Society Group, Agriculture of the DKI Jakarta Province, the Cultivation Centre and Marine Conservation – Marine Food Security Service.

“With the activities planned to be carried out regularly, the Jakarta Aquarium hopes to support and help maintain the environment in the waters and land where mangroves are. They’re spawning areas for marine biota, oxygen producers, carbon dioxide absorbers, and most importantly they absorb heavy metals in natural waters. Further, they are ideal for holding back the rate of erosion and reducing the impact of the tsunami on the land. The hope is that this activity is one proof of the contribution of Jakarta Aquarium to a sustainable natural environment,” concluded Danang.