In 2011, the Livelihoods Carbon Funds, in partnership with Yagasu, a locally-rooted NGO, initiated a mangrove restoration project following the devastating tsunami that struck the coastal areas of Sumatra in 2004. Since then, a total of 10,000 hectares of mangroves have been planted along 500 kilometers from Banda Aceh in the extreme north to Medan. This collective effort spans two projects funded by the Livelihoods Carbon Funds 1 and 2 over a 20-year period each.
The projects have three primary goals: first, to restore a fragile but essential ecosystem for coastal protection; second, to generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities; and third, to remove a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere. Thirteen years later, we reflect on what has been achieved, the challenges faced, and what is the path forward.
A community effort to revive mangroves
The planting of new mangroves has been a success, with active participation from village community groups, including women’s associations. In the initial years of the project, millions of mangrove seedlings were planted, leading to the successful restoration of a thriving ecosystem, increasingly rich in crabs, shrimp, and fish that naturally flourish in the mangroves.
However, maintaining the restored areas has been more challenging for several reasons. In some locations, young mangrove trees were washed away by the waves, while in others, seedlings were damaged by pests. In some areas, charcoal producers approached owners of mangrove plots and proposed cash. In other areas, incentives were given to convert mangrove plots in intensive fish ponds, resulting in the degradation of the restored areas.
Balancing community needs and policy support for a successful restoration
For mangrove restoration to be successful, it is crucial to align restoration efforts with the needs of local communities and ensure their full involvement. Local communities must have viable sources of income to effectively participate in and support mangrove protection. Without alternative livelihoods, it is challenging for them to prioritize conservation over immediate economic pressures. Additionally, supportive public policies are essential to complement these restoration efforts. Enforced regulation on mangrove protection and economic incentives for conservation can help ensure that both the environment and local communities benefit from mangrove protection.
An encouraging signal is that public policies are currently aligning with restoration efforts. The Indonesian government has made a strong commitment to mangrove restoration and is enforcing laws to protect these fragile areas. Incentives for intensive aquaculture in mangrove regions have been discontinued, and charcoal production has been significantly reduced. Recently, penalties have been introduced for those involved in cutting down mangrove trees.
Empowering Communities for long-term mangrove restoration
A way forward to secure the restored areas is to strengthen the local communities whose livelihood depend on the mangrove.
During its field visit in June 2024, Livelihoods team had a lot of discussions with villagers and local leaders who clearly expressed their motivation to protect but also the need to get more support to develop income generating activities such as mud crab production and commercialization, fishing equipment, etc.
The Livelihoods team is collaborating closely with Yagasu to establish a financing scheme that includes a revolving fund. This fund will provide subsidized loans to local projects, under the condition that the mangroves are well maintained. Additionally, plans are in place to partner with cooperatives and micro-finance institutions to facilitate the distribution of these funds.