Jakarta – Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) works with the National Research and Innovation Agency (Brin) to prepare Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens (KRM) as a center for global knowledge or world manner library. This step is in line with the efforts to expand the KRM cooperation network with the International Botanical Garden community through its membership at Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). This initiative is considered strategic to strengthen the position of KRM as a mangrove conservation center as well as a natural laboratory for global research and education. The connection of KRM Surabaya to BGCI has opened various opportunities to share knowledge to strengthen research and conservation networks in countries. In addition, KRM Surabaya membership in BGCI also expands Indonesian diplomacy in the field of plant conservation, especially mangrove ecosystems, which is one of the most important wealth typical of the tropical coast. Browse to continue the content Although only two years old, KRM Surabaya has recorded a proud performance at international level and is part of the World Mangrove Center (WMC) and BGCI. The appreciation for this achievement was directly transferred by the Deputy Chief of Brin, Amarulla Octavian, in the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the KRM held by the Surabaya City Government at the Gunung Anyar Mangrove Botanical Garden on Saturday (26/7). “With the synergy and cooperation of various parties in the build -up and development of this area, this region has now become a beautiful conservation landscape, equipped with infrastructure and educational and interesting public facilities and inclusive,” Amarulla said in his statement on Wednesday (8/20/2025). Amarulla emphasizes the ecological value of mangrove ecosystems, ranging from the protection of the coastline against barn and storm waves, which provide an important coastal biota habitat, to its function as an effective carbon absorber. “In this world, there are very few botanical gardens that focus on the conservation of mangrove plants. Of the very small amount, KRM Surabaya is one of them,” he said. According to him, the scientific and collaborative approach will strengthen the position of mangrove botanical gardens as a natural laboratory that can integrate research, education and recovery of sustainable ecosystems. “That’s why I want to invite us all to provide joint support, so that these botanical gardens can increasingly show their strategic contributions and roles in the field of plant conservation, especially mangrove plants,” Amarulla added. At the same time, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi expressed his gratitude to Brin for the help and guidance given. According to him, Brin’s support is a motivation for the city government to maintain and develop KRM to become a World Mangrove Library and a carbon reduction center. “To get an international membership, our encouragement becomes so that KRM becomes a World Mangrove Library and a carbon reduction center,” he said. In addition, Eri Cahyadi revealed that the development of KRM in the future will also touch food security through Silvofishery Research with Brin. Where Silvofishery is an integrated fishery cultivation system in the mangrove area that combines dams with mangrove forests. “Collaboration between mangroves and fisheries and dams is expected to preserve nature. If nature is maintained, Surabaya will become a clean and peaceful city,” he explained. In addition, the director of Mangrove rehabilitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, hopes that the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens could become a center in the future for knowledge of World Mangrove. “The Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens will hope to become a World Mangrove Library. Because the botanical gardens of mangrove (Surabaya) now have 74 species of mangroves, and it’s very difficult,” he said. The Deputy for the use of research and innovation of Brin, R. Hendrian, has appreciated the progress of the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens in the past two years. According to him, the city government by the Department of Food and Agricultural Safety (DKPP) has succeeded in quickly optimizing the mangrove area. “The area of the country is being built and used at this time is quite extensive. It is one of the achievements worthy of being appreciated,” Hendrian said. Hendrian also assessed that the success of the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens was not only in terms of infrastructure, but was also active involvement in the international network. “Well, all these achievements, we take note, and we conclude that the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Garden is indeed worthwhile to get special appreciation and notes,” he added. Meanwhile, Antique Sugiharti, head of Surabaya City DKPP, said KRM had 56 types of mangroves as collections when inaugurated in 2023, up to 74 species. “We strive to add different types of mangroves as collections in the Surabaya Mangrove Botanical Gardens,” he said. Antiques also said that the collaboration of Cross Teacher, including Brin, is expected to strengthen the role of KRM in the function of conservation, research, education, tourism, environmental services and support the development of alternative food sources. “Hopefully our efforts to be with Brin, along with other stakeholders to build this botanical garden, can be optimized immediately, one of the food resources,” concluded antiques. (Akn/Ega)
Surabaya-Brin City government prepares mangrove libraries in mangrove botanical gardens
