S Kalimantan police spread thousands of mangroves seeds at Pagatan Besar Beach

Pelaihari, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Police have spread thousands of mangrove seeds on the Pagatan Besar Beach in Takisung sub-district, Tanah Laut, Friday (Feb 21, 2020).

"This green action is to mark the National Garbage concern Day which is commemorated on February 21," said the South Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Inp.Gen, Yazid Fanani when he led the planting.

The mangrove planting on an area of 4,5 hectare brought the theme "Police care about greening the coast and strengthening the economy of the coastal communities," the police chief said as he read the speech of the National Police Chief Gen. Idham Azis.

"This is held simultaneously throughout Indonesia by the National Police and the rank of the Regional Police. It is hoped that the preservation of nature and coastal environment to be maintained and to improve the welfare of the coastal people as one of the supporting components in national defense," he pointed out.

The condition of mangrove in the coastal areas in South Kalimantan is quite alarming, from an area of 116.824 hectares is estimated about 70 percent of the forest is damaged.

He said, there should be a follow up by the people and environment-care community to conserve mangrove to achieve well what is expected.

He advised, mangrove plants to be cared together to grow well and the planting should be sustainable. 

"Let's educate and make people aware of the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems, especially mangrove vegetation. As is known mangrove forests are very beneficial for the habitats of flora and fauna, as a controlling of natural disasters such as erosion and abrasion," the two star general insisted.

Members of South Kalimantan Regional Police, Tanah Laut Police, TNI (military) and elements of Tanah Laut government led by Regent H Sukamta, and citizens attended the event and cleaned up the beach. 

The police chief, who was accompanied by Chairwoman of South Kalimantan Bhayangkari Rinny Yazid Fanani, handed over an assistance of fish seeds and school appliances for the local people of the coastal area.