Bio Farma Consistently Supports Mangrove Conservation in Subang - West Java

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Third from left), together with Bio Farma Representatives and 10 Proper Gold-winning companies in West Java, one of which is Bio Farma, jointly carried out mangrove planting activities on the North Coast of Mayangan Village, Subang Regency in commemoration of Environment Day 2022. Bio Farma itself planted 1,000 mangrove trees. (photo : M. Andzhar / Corcom Bio Farma).

Subang (30/06) – World Environment Day (HLH) in 2022 is again commemorated with the theme "only one earth", and focuses on living sustainably in harmony with nature. Indonesia itself commemorates world environment day with the theme "One Earth for the Future". Bio Farma participated in the peak of environmental day commemoration which was held on 30 June 2022 in collaboration with the West Java Province Environmental Service (DLH) and the Wanadri Foundation, PT. West Java Upstream Oil and Gas (MUJ), and PT. West Java Upstream Oil and Gas (MUJ) ONWJ.

The main activity at the HLH commemoration is related to mangrove planting in the North Coast of Mayangan Village, Subang Regency, which also involves the participation of the surrounding community. This activity aims to raise awareness, motivate, and encourage all parties to preserve the environment, especially mangroves in the northern and southern coastal areas of West Java, and invite all stakeholders to play an active role in environmental protection and management.

It is hoped that the peak activity of environmental day commemoration will trigger collaboration and synergy of all parties in environmental management through mangrove conservation and can be replicated in various coastal areas of West Java.

Population growth and economic activities that encourage the conversion of mangrove land as well as the opening of new lands cause degradation of mangrove habitat and damage to coral reef ecosystems. Of the total area of ​​mangrove ecosystems found on the north coast of West Java covering an area of ​​43,362.09 ha, 90% of the area has been damaged and has decreased in type and distribution, including in Subang Regency where the entire area of ​​the mangrove ecosystem has been damaged. Based on Landsat data in 2016, the mangrove area in Subang Regency is 344.5 ha in damaged/rare condition either in Ciasem District or in Legonkulon District.

In Mayangan village, Pamanukan, Subang, there was a significant reduction in mangrove area from 1999 to 2016. Along with the reduction in the mangrove area, the coastline shifted inland by up to 1.5 km from 2002 to 2014. This could have an impact on increasing the risk of coastal disasters in the form of tidal flooding and abrasion as well as a decrease in the quality of seawater and the environment in coastal areas. Thus, the establishment and implementation of the protection of protected areas for mangrove forests and coral reefs are very urgent. In addition, it is also necessary to pay more attention to urban development in a sustainable coastal area landscape.

The highlight of the HLH commemoration event was attended by 27 Regencies/Cities throughout West Java, 10 Proper Gold-winning companies in West Java, of which Bio Farma is one of them, and the only company engaged in the Health sector. Bio Farma itself, planted as many as 1,000 mangrove trees.

President Director of Bio Farma, Honesti Basyir said, "The environment is a gift from God that we must protect, apart from preserving nature, it is also for the sustainability of our children and grandchildren in the future, and we are responsible for preparing a natural environment that is livable for them.

“Bio Farma has a philosophy of dedicating to improving quality of life, which means that the presence of Bio Farma, not only plays a role in making each generation healthy with the products we produce but also has a role in improving the quality of life through improvement and environmental sustainability for our children and grandchildren. ", said Honesti.

Meanwhile the Head of TJSL, Asset Management & General Division, Tjut Vina Irviyanti said, this mangrove planting activity, will not only stop at the current planting activity. Bio Farma is fully committed to maintaining and preserving the environment by planting more mangrove trees in the future.

"We will carry out the next activity in the near future, as well as commemorate the 132-year anniversary of Bio Farma, by planting more mangrove trees in the same location, because this area needs more mangrove trees to maintain the ecosystem," said Tjut Vina. 

In addition to planting mangroves, Bio Farma Farma through the Social and Environmental Responsibility Program (TJSL) provides assistance to the people of the Mayangan Village Area in the form of an Early Warning System (RISE) for tidal flood mitigation, assistance for bridge renovation and breakwater embankments; and assistance with clean water facilities at SMKN 1 Legon Wetan. (photo : M. Andzhar / Corcom Bio Farma)

Tjut Vina added that Bio Farma through the Social and Environmental Responsibility Program (TJSL) and as a BUMN will continue to strive to support the preservation and economic improvement of the surrounding population. On this occasion, Bio Farma provided assistance to the people of the Mayangan Village Area in the form of an Early Warning System (RISE) unit for tidal flood mitigation, assistance for bridge renovation, and breakwater embankments; and assistance with clean water facilities at SMKN 1 Legon Wetan.

In addition to planting mangroves, at the peak of environmental day commemoration, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the provincial government and 27 regencies/cities throughout West Java and between the Wanadri Foundation and PT. MUJ, PT. MUJ ONWJ, and Bio Farma.