Fighting climate change: Over 15ha of mangroves planted in Indonesia under Temasek Foundation’s efforts

BANYUASIN, Indonesia: The Ampera Bridge is seen as an iconic symbol of prosperity in Palembang, the capital of Indonesia’s South Sumatra province.

It crosses the Musi River, one of the longest in the country which empties into the sea near Sungsang IV village in Banyuasin regency hundreds of kilometres away.

While this coastal area used to teem with mangroves, the trees are now under threat due to agricultural expansion and infrastructure development.

In efforts to revitalise the area and improve livelihoods, Singapore’s Temasek Foundation – the philanthropic arm of state investment firm Temasek – teamed up with Indonesian partners in 2021 to begin a community-based mangrove restoration programme in Banyuasin.

These partners include the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the Centre of Excellence of Peatland and Mangrove Conservation and Productivity Improvement and the South Sumatra Watershed Forum.

Since then, more than 15ha of mangroves – the size of about 21 football fields – have been planted there.

“It’s a very promising start, and we … (hear) feedback from the local government saying that, oh, we would like to replicate this in other areas, the same district. That is truly encouraging,” said Temasek Foundation’s head of corporate development Amrin Amin.

“If we come in and provide that additional layer of support and encouragement, we hope (we) will form a tipping point in the long run, to help catalyse progress and help us together address climate change,” he added.