February 22, 2024

Chevron funds pilot programme to restore mangroves in Indonesia

A US$2 million grant from Chevron is driving a pilot initiative aimed at restoring 50 hectares of mangroves in Indonesia, previously converted to shrimp ponds, in a bid to showcase the benefits of sustainable shrimp aquaculture and preserve vital ecosystems, Chevron reported.

The programme, dubbed MESTI, an acronym in Indonesian that translates to "mangroves are friends of sustainable ponds," is a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy's Indonesian partner Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), international non-profit Pact, and Chevron, striving to harmonise social, economic, and environmental interests.

Operating in three villages in Berau district, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, MESTI seeks to safeguard the livelihoods of Indonesian farmers while aiding mangrove restoration efforts.

Mangroves play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and act as a natural barrier against storms, besides providing habitats for diverse species like the proboscis monkey, endemic to Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Wahyu Budiarto, Chevron Indonesia's country manager, expressed pride in the collaboration, highlighting the company's commitment to mangrove restoration efforts.

In these remote villages, limited access to electricity poses challenges, hindering shrimp preservation and market access. Traditional pond management methods have led to reduced shrimp yields, prompting further mangrove clearance.

Now, through partnerships with Pact and YKAN, a new approach emerges, aiming to shrink pond sizes, boost shrimp yields, and foster mangrove recovery.

Muhammad Ilman, YKAN's Ocean Programs director, noted the positive outcomes of their sustainable aquaculture initiatives, focusing on the potential for shrimp farmers to become allies in mangrove restoration efforts.

-      Chevron