PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) held a mangrove forest clean-up action in the coastal area of Pantai Mekar Village, Muaragembong District, Bekasi Regency, Thursday (27/2/2025).

This activity was held to commemorate National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN) 2025 and aims to strengthen commitment to waste management and coastal environmental preservation.

This action was led directly by the Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, accompanied by the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Bekasi Regency Dedy Supriyadi and other regional apparatuses.

In his remarks, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said that this activity aims to strengthen the commitment and active role of local governments and all stakeholders in implementing a green economy to reduce waste in mangrove forest areas.

"Therefore, effective waste management is very important to maintain the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem and prevent further damage to the coastal environment," he said.

Hanif explained that around 20 percent of the world's total mangrove forests are in Indonesia, with an area of 3.44 million hectares spread across the Indonesian archipelago. Mangrove forests have a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

"Mangroves are a very important coastal ecosystem because they function as a coastal buffer to prevent erosion and abrasion. This mangrove clean-up action is expected to be a concrete step in efforts to maintain the coastal ecosystem," he added.

Muaragembong Sub-district Head, Sukarmawan, said that the mangrove forest area in his area was the center for implementing the mangrove clean-up action in West Java, as part of eight national activity loci.

"We thank the Ministry of Environment for this initiative. The presence of Vice President Selvi Gibran Rakabuming is also a source of pride for the people of Muaragembong," said Sukarmawan.

According to him, this activity must be sustainable and not just ceremonial. Furthermore, he hopes that this action can increase public awareness in preserving the environment, especially in coastal mangrove forest areas.

"This program must continue to be promoted by involving all parties, including MSMEs, so that waste can be processed into products with economic value," he added.

With this mangrove clean-up action, it is hoped that public awareness of the importance of protecting the environment will increase and encourage sustainable policies in waste management and mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia. (Diskominfo Kab. Bekasi)