In Golo Sepang Village, Boleng District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, there is an environmental activist whose name has become legendary among fishermen and seekers of snails, clams and crabs. Pak Burhan, as he is known, has dedicated more than 20 years of his life to rehabilitating mangroves, a natural fortress that not only protects the coast from erosion but is also a source of livelihood for many villagers.

Burhan realized the importance of mangroves when he saw the negative impacts of mangrove logging in the past. Mangrove trees were cut down to be used as building materials for houses, boats, ponds, and even bridges by the local community. Without realizing it, the logging was destroying an ecosystem rich in life. "In the past, we often saw mangrove logging without thinking. We only saw that the wood was good for building. But over time, clams, crabs, and snails became harder to find," said Burhan.

This anxiety prompted Burhan to start rehabilitation action. He began planting mangrove seedlings along the village's coast, although at first, his efforts were underestimated. "Many people said, why plant mangroves? There is no immediate result," he said. However, Burhan remained steadfast. He believes that mangroves are the key to a better future, not only for the environment but also for the welfare of the community.

Since the beginning, Burhan has seen the importance of involving communities in conservation efforts. With the principle that environmental sustainability can go hand in hand with community welfare, he formed farmer and fishermen groups to protect mangrove areas jointly. Through the Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECM) approach, areas managed by customary, community, or local institutions are used as effective protection areas outside the formal conservation area system such as national parks. Burhan's role in mangrove management under OECM is a clear example of how a community-based approach can meet complex conservation challenges, while still addressing the socio-economic needs of local communities.

For two decades, Burhan has successfully engaged local communities in mangrove rehabilitation programs. Together with a group of fishermen and villagers, he formed a working group to plant and care for mangroves called the True Nature Group. Based on data from BPDAS Benain Noelmina in 2006, the area of mangrove ecosystems in Boleng District was recorded at 471.36 hectares, with 356.66 hectares of them located in Golo Sepang Village. In 2023, the mangrove area in Golo Sepang Village increased to 409.66 hectares (BPDAS Benain Noelmina 2023).

This increase is the result of rehabilitation efforts, including mangrove planting in an area of 53 hectares in collaboration with the government, private sector, and NGOs. This program is an important part of maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems and contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity habitat protection. Now, the Golo Sepang coastal area is green again with lush mangrove beds, home to various types of marine life that were once almost difficult to see due to ecosystem degradation.

Burhan's struggle does not stop there, however. The threat of mangrove cutting still exists, mainly due to the community's need for building materials. Burhan continues to educate the community on the importance of protecting the mangrove ecosystem. He works with the government and WWF Indonesia Foundation to find sustainable solutions, such as providing environmentally friendly alternative livelihoods and raising awareness about the long-term benefits of protecting mangroves.

In 2023, Burhan was involved as a resource person for the National Webinar commemorating World Mangrove Day. Then he also became a practitioner who transmitted his knowledge and insights in Tanjung Boleng Village, especially Dusun Rangko.

WWF-Indonesia conducted a community awareness and mangrove rehabilitation program covering an area of 0.64 Ha or 2000 mangrove tree seedlings planted. On several occasions, Burhan was also involved as a resource person, one of which was in Seraya Marannu Village to educate the community and plant mangroves.

WWF-Indonesia has conducted monitoring to assess the condition of the mangrove ecosystem in Boleng District and its surroundings. Based on the assessment of biophysical and socio-economic aspects, the average was 81.4 and the socio-economic aspect was 92.9. When averaged from 27 potential areas, it is categorized as very suitable (77.9-100) based on Nurdin Y, et.al, 2022.

As a follow-up, WWF-Indonesia collected data on potential land that can be rehabilitated to support sustainable ecosystem recovery. For Burhan, mangroves are not just trees. "This is the future of our children and grandchildren," he emphasized. With his perseverance and dedication, Burhan has become a symbol of resilience and hope for the people of West Manggarai Regency.

Mangroves that were once threatened, are now the main support of the ecosystem and the livelihood of local residents. There are several locations based on mapping with WWF-Indonesia where there is potential for mangrove rehabilitation of around 63.7 Ha.

"WWF-Indonesia is committed to continue supporting mangrove ecosystem rehabilitation efforts as an important part of environmental protection and climate change mitigation. Through rehabilitation and community awareness programs, we encourage the active participation of local communities in maintaining the sustainability of mangroves, which play an important role as an abrasion barrier, carbon store, and living space for various types of biodiversity. By building wider awareness, we believe that the protection of mangrove ecosystems can be realized sustainably for a better future for future generations," said Kusnanto, Site Coordinator for Flores Water LSS.

WWF's intervention plan in the Rangko area, West Manggarai Regency under the Blue Carbon program will focus on the development of mangrove and seagrass ecosystems as an effort to mitigate climate change and coastal protection. This activity includes the rehabilitation of seagrass ecosystems as well as community capacity building in sustainable coastal management. To ensure the success of the program, WWF-Indonesia will strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders, including the provincial government, local government, local communities, and research institutions.

This collaboration aims to integrate science with practice in the field, creating an effective and sustainable Blue Carbon management planning model. The program will also encourage the establishment of demonstration areas that serve as field laboratories for coastal ecosystem recovery innovations, as well as develop data-based policies to support the development of an environmentally friendly blue economy in the West Manggarai region.