On August 19, 2025, the East Java Mangrove Festival VII was held at Bahak Beach, Curah Dringu Village, Tongas District, Probolinggo Regency. The event stood as a significant milestone in the region’s ongoing commitment to mangrove rehabilitation. Based on the 2024 Mangrove Map, East Java’s mangrove coverage has reached 30,839.3 hectares—making it the largest mangrove area on Java Island, accounting for 48.38% of the island’s total mangrove forests. This impressive achievement reflects the consistent collaborative efforts between the government, academic institutions, and local communities to preserve coastal ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The festival was attended by prominent figures, including the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Mochammad Amin Alamsjah, Ir., M.Si., Ph.D., and the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa. Their presence emphasized the importance of synergy between universities and regional governments in supporting sustainable environmental programs. Through initiatives like this, Universitas Airlangga—particularly the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK UNAIR)—continues to demonstrate its active role in community engagement, research-based policy recommendations, and sustainable resource management aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The East Java Mangrove Festival serves as more than just a conservation campaign; it is a platform for education, innovation, and collaboration. The festival featured various activities such as mangrove planting, environmental education sessions, art exhibitions, and coastal clean-ups involving students, local residents, and youth communities. These initiatives aim to foster a stronger sense of environmental stewardship among the younger generation, while highlighting the ecological and economic importance of mangrove ecosystems for coastal protection, fisheries sustainability, and carbon sequestration.
Universitas Airlangga’s participation in this event aligns with its mission to integrate academic excellence with community service. By combining research on coastal rehabilitation with real-world implementation, UNAIR supports the creation of evidence-based solutions to address environmental degradation and promote blue economy initiatives. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly among the fields of fisheries, marine science, and environmental policy, UNAIR continues to contribute to Indonesia’s vision of sustainable coastal development.
It is hoped that the East Java Mangrove Festival will continue to be held annually, serving as a symbol of collective commitment to environmental preservation and social awareness. As expressed by the participants and organizers, the continuity of this event will ensure that the spirit of mangrove conservation thrives for generations to come—Aamiin.
