There has been a decrease of mangrove trees in Indonesia from 1999 to 2005. Currently, there is only 3,6 million hectare of mangrove trees in Indonesia that is still in good condition. Mangrove trees have decrease 64% from 1999, whereas the original area of mangrove trees reached up to 8,6 million hectares.

The cause of decreasing mangrove trees is due to deforestation in coastal areas. This itself has also caused abrasion and the decrease of fish, crabs, and shellfish catch. Mangrove trees function itself is to hold off waves so abrasion won?t be severe. Besides that, there a lot of creatures that uses the mangrove roots as a breeding ground.

Based on my explanation above, I have dedicated this year World Environmental Day to plant mangrove at Hope Island (Pulau Harapan) in the Thousand Island. These mangrove are planted closely so they could withstand the waves, and not topple over and be submerged in water.