Mimika Mangrove and Lowland Swamp Forest Plan

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest mangrove area of approximately 4,200,000 hectares, yet by the turn of the 21st century less than half of that total remained. Of Indonesia’s mangrove resources, approximately 1,500,000 ha historically occurred on the Indonesian side of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), with 1,382,000 ha remaining as of 1990. (Giesen, 1993)

In terms of productivity and diversity, there is also evidence that Papua maintains amongst the most species diverse mangrove system in the world exhibiting 42 species of true mangroves (Table 1.1) as well as the most productive with above and below ground carbon storage measurements averaging 1000 tons/ ha ranging from roughly 600 – 1400. (Warren, 2014).

Recognizing the importance of the natural resources that mangrove forests and adjacent landscapes such as lowland swamp forests provide, Indonesia has for many years shown a strong institutional and legislative interest in achieving planning and management practices that will ensure their conservation. The most recent iteration of this effort is Presidential Decree Number 73 Year 2012 on National Strategy on Mangrove Ecosystems Management (SNPEM), substantiating that any policies, programs and activities related to the mangrove should be conducted under Mangrove Ecosystem Management Coordination Team at the National (KKMN) or Regional level (KKMD). (Ministry of Forestry, 2013)