Coastal Erosion Threatens Tangerang Shores, BRIDS Plants 1,000 Mangroves to Strengthen Coa

Tangerang, 27 November 2025 – Indonesia is facing a serious coastal abrasion challenge. According to data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) cited in various studies, as many as 100 locations across 17 coastal provinces have experienced shoreline loss, with an estimated decline reaching thousands of hectares per year. In 2015 alone, KKP recorded that 400 kilometers of coastline had been eroded—equivalent to 44 percent of the total 745 kilometers of affected coastline. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the sustainability of coastal ecosystems as well as the safety of settlements and community activities along the shoreline.

The coastal areas of Tangerang and Banten, in particular, are experiencing increasingly alarming levels of abrasion. Based on the Mangrove Assessment in Banten Province released by the Banten Environmental and Forestry Service (DLHK) in March 2020, mangrove ecosystems in the region have undergone reductions in area and shoreline shifts caused by abrasion. In Tangerang Regency, out of a total of 222.90 hectares of mangrove ecosystem, 145.6 hectares are classified as heavily damaged, 61.7 hectares moderately damaged, and only 15.6 hectares remain in good condition. Research by IPB University (Haryanti et al., 2021) also recorded more than 180 hectares of mangrove loss. This indicates a weakening capacity of the coastline to withstand abrasion and an increasing risk of land loss.

Mangroves have been proven effective in strengthening coastal resilience and mitigating long-term abrasion risks, while also playing an important role in climate change mitigation through carbon absorption. According to carbon calculation guidelines from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), a single Rhizophora mangrove tree can absorb approximately 8 kg of CO₂e per year. In addition, mangroves contribute direct economic and social benefits to local communities, such as protecting settlements, providing marine resources, and supporting ecotourism opportunities.

Recognizing this urgency, BRI Danareksa Sekuritas (BRIDS), a subsidiary of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (IDX: BBRI), through its CSR program BRIDS Peduli, carried out the planting of 1,000 mangrove seedlings at KSS Beach, Sukawali Village, Tangerang Regency. This initiative involved collaboration with LindungiHutan and the Kampung Bahari Nusantara Forest Farmers Group (KTH), from the planting stage through growth monitoring to ensure the program’s sustainability.

Acting President Director of BRIDS, Fifi Virgantria, emphasized the importance of collective and sustained action in protecting coastal ecosystems. “Mangroves are an ecological asset of immense value for coastal communities. Through this planting initiative, we hope to create meaningful impact in safeguarding the coastal areas of Tangerang from abrasion, while also contributing to carbon emission reduction of up to 8,000 kg CO₂e per year. This is part of our commitment to supporting climate change mitigation efforts in Indonesia,” she said.

A representative of the coastal community involved in the program also expressed appreciation for the collaboration. “Mangroves greatly help in reducing abrasion and protecting our homes from tidal waves. Support from BRIDS accelerates rehabilitation efforts in our area. We hope collaborations like this will continue,” he said.

This initiative marks a strategic step and a demonstration of BRIDS’ commitment to supporting environmental conservation, particularly in impacted areas across Indonesia, while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 13 (Climate Action), No. 14 (Life Below Water), and No. 15 (Life on Land).