Mangroves are one of the most important coastal ecosystems in Indonesia. These coastal forests not only serve as natural protectors against abrasion and high waves, but also as habitats for hundreds of species of fish, crabs, and birds. In addition, mangroves store a massive amount of carbon, making them a crucial defense against the impacts of climate change.

Recognizing the importance of mangroves, the government has strengthened its protection efforts through regulatory updates. Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, revised by Law No. 6/2023, became the foundation for the issuance of Government Regulation (PP) No. 27 of 2025. This regulation officially took effect on June 5, 2025, and serves as the main legal umbrella for the preservation and management of mangrove ecosystems across Indonesia—both within and outside forest areas.

This new regulation fills previous legal gaps and reduces policy overlaps among sectors such as forestry, marine, and fisheries. With clearer regulations, mangrove conservation efforts are expected to be more focused, aligning environmental interests with those of coastal communities.

Background

Indonesia has over 3 million hectares of mangroves— the largest in the world—covering about 20% of the global mangrove ecosystem. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, each hectare of mangrove can absorb up to 52 tons of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of the most effective natural climate change mitigation solutions.

However, more than 50% of Indonesia’s mangrove ecosystems are damaged due to land conversion for aquaculture, reclamation, and illegal logging. This degradation not only results in biodiversity loss but also worsens coastal erosion, reduces fishers’ catches, and releases significant carbon emissions.

This is where the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) becomes highly relevant. NBS is an approach that utilizes nature’s power—such as mangrove replanting, community-based management, and silvofishery—to restore ecosystems while supporting local economies. This approach is considered more sustainable because it integrates ecological, social, and economic aspects into a single framework.

What Are Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)?

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are approaches that harness nature’s power to address environmental, social, and economic challenges. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines NBS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.”

In coastal contexts, NBS focuses on restoring natural ecosystem functions such as mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and wetlands as ecological solutions to combat erosion, tidal flooding, and climate change impacts.

Key Characteristics of NBS

1. Ecosystem-based approach

   NBS utilizes natural mechanisms, such as mangrove roots that can resist erosion and tidal waves.

2. Sustainable and multi-benefit

   NBS provides ecological benefits (like coastal protection and carbon absorption) and socio-economic benefits, such as ecotourism and non-timber forest products.

3. Participatory approach

   NBS emphasizes local community involvement as key actors—from planning to management.

4. Cost-effective

   Studies show that mangrove restoration costs are 5–10 times lower than building concrete seawalls, yet the protective effects can be equal or even better.

Challenges

Despite the acknowledged importance of mangroves, conservation efforts on the ground still face several obstacles:

1. Policy overlap

   Prior to PP 27/2025, mangrove management was divided among forestry, marine, and fisheries sectors without clear coordination.

2. Widespread coastal degradation

   Land conversion for aquaculture or tourism industries has significantly reduced mangrove forests.

3. Low community involvement

   Many coastal communities have not been fully engaged, even though they are the most affected.

4. Limited funding

   Restoration programs often face financial constraints and lack long-term funding support.

Solutions and Discussions

1. Landscape-Based Restoration

   Landscape-based restoration is a holistic approach to mangrove ecosystem recovery—not just planting new saplings, but also restoring ecological functions across the entire coastal area. PP 27/2025 mandates that each mangrove region must undergo ecosystem inventory, critical area mapping, and integrated protection planning. This spatial data becomes the foundation for prioritizing recovery, especially in high-erosion and disaster-prone areas.

   NBS strengthens this program by using natural mechanisms—such as adaptive local mangrove species, improved water flow and sedimentation to support natural regeneration, and green belts to buffer wave energy. Studies show that restored mangrove forests can reduce wave energy by 70–90%, offering longer-lasting and more cost-effective protection than concrete structures.

2. Community-Based Management

   Community-Based Mangrove Management (CBMM) is an approach that places coastal communities as primary actors in protecting, restoring, and utilizing mangrove ecosystems. It arises from the understanding that local communities are closest to and most dependent on the sustainability of mangrove forests. Their direct involvement increases their sense of ownership and responsibility.

   PP 27/2025 supports this principle by providing space for participation, empowerment, and incentives to communities engaged in mangrove protection—through both traditional management and tech-based innovations. CBMM not only focuses on conservation but also emphasizes balancing economic benefits with ecological sustainability.

   The community-based approach also has a strong social dimension. By involving communities in planning, planting, and monitoring, collective awareness of mangrove importance increases. Training, mentoring, and granting management rights are key to this scheme’s success. CBMM integrated with NBS produces healthy ecosystems while supporting community welfare—ensuring mangrove sustainability becomes a shared, daily responsibility, not just the government’s.

3. Policy and Funding Support

   Policy and funding support are key to the success of mangrove management and restoration based on NBS. PP 27/2025 provides a clear legal framework for national and regional governments to allocate budgets through the state (APBN) and regional (APBD) budgets as the primary sources of conservation funding.

   This funding covers ecosystem inventories, critical area rehabilitation programs, coastal community capacity building, and long-term monitoring. Beyond government funding, the regulation encourages involvement from the private sector, financial institutions, and international organizations through public-private partnerships.

   Blue carbon finance is a strategic innovation to support long-term mangrove conservation funding. This concept leverages mangroves’ ability to absorb and store 3–5 times more carbon than terrestrial forests. Stored carbon can be converted into carbon credits traded in national and international carbon markets. According to a World Bank (2021) report, blue carbon projects in Indonesia could be worth billions of dollars if well-managed through international verification and certification mechanisms. Funds from carbon credits can finance restoration activities, local community empowerment, and tech-based monitoring systems.

Conclusion

Mangroves are not just forests by the sea—they are living shields that protect coastal ecosystems, support local economies, and absorb climate-damaging carbon emissions. With the issuance of PP 27/2025, mangrove conservation efforts now have clearer and firmer direction.

Integrating this regulation with Nature-Based Solutions will strengthen ecosystem resilience and improve community welfare. If managed through collaboration between government, communities, academia, and the private sector, Indonesia’s mangroves will not only recover but also become a global success story of sustainable coastal management.

-Rika Novida