Green Coast in Indonesia
Green Coast Project in
Indonesia
The epicenter of the earthquake that caused the tsunami
in December 2004 was close to the Indonesian province of
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Nias Island. Almost 130.000
people and 37.000 remain missing. The survivors lost almost
everything: family, houses and livelihoods. Approximately 4,717
coastal fi shing boats lost, 20.000 ha fi sh ponds were destroyed
or out of action, 60,000 farmers were displaced, over 60,000 ha
agricultural land damaged and 100,000 small business persons
have lost their livelihoods. Furthermore, the environment is
profoundly altered.
(A joint report of the BRR and International Partners, December 2005: ACEH AND NIAS ONE YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMI; The Recovery Effort and Way Forward)The Green Coast project in Indonesia is implemented by Wetlands International Indonesia Programme (WIIP),
WWF-Indonesia and Both ENDS’ partner GEF-Small Grants Program.
Coastal stretches
Green Coast identifi ed priority coastal stretches in Indonesia: Simeulue, Nagan Raya and Aceh Barat, Aceh Besar and
Banda Aceh, Pidie, Aceh Utara and Lhokseumawe and the Island of Nias.
Assessing the damage
WIIP, together with local NGOs and the Syahkuala University conducted many assessments in Aceh and Nias Island,
on wetlands ecology, vegetation, soil and agriculture, fi sheries, biodiversity and social economic development. Based
on these assessments at least 31 specifi c areas were identifi ed that need priority in rehabilitation. WIIP developed an
Interactive Multimedia Database, containing environmental and socio-economic information data of the six stretches as
mentioned above
Detailed assessment report of these strecthes is now available in both hard and soft copies in WI-IP
office.
Map of distribution of Small Grants in the Aceh District
The Green Coast difference
Along the Aceh east coast we fi nd a good example of Green Coast assessments leading to policy recommendations
and community-based rehabilitation projects.
The assessment team found that there used to be very thick mangrove forests, but these were converted into
fi shponds long before this area hit by the tsunami. Many ponds and some villages were destroyed by the tsunami.
Some ponds are now being restored, but for most of them this will be too expensive due to heavy degradation.
Financed by:
Infl uencing policy
Green Coast partners established good working relations with the provincial government, the Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction Agency (BRR) and the Panglima Laot, the traditional local leaders of fi shing communities.
WWF-Indonesia developed Green Reconstruction Policy Guidelines for Aceh and Green Coast teams visited coastal
communities, asking for policy inputs to get the ‘voice’ of communities heard.
Around 43 regulations and related policies in Coastal Resources Management (CRM) for Aceh, including the Traditional
Sea Customary Law (Hukom Adat Laot) are reviewed and analysed for its post-tsunami relevance. Green Coast in
Aceh established a forum that regularly meets to discuss CRM-related issues, involving NGOs, women groups, local
government, BRR, scientists and Panglima Laot. In Nias Island, the CRM concept had been introduced as up to now
there is no spesifi c regulation in managing their coastal resources.
The Green Coast difference
At the request of fi sh farmers in Lham Dingin the government built a 16.2 km long seawall to protect the ponds from
high tides, unfortunately without prior Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). As a result seawater is retained
behind the wall and the area becomes severely fl ooded during rainy season and high tides. Green Coast partners
already pointed at these risks during the planning of this construction.
Community-based rehabilitation projects
Green Coast teams traveled to priority coastal stretches, where WIIP provided technical training to communities and
CBOs, and WWF discussed issues like gender and required policy inputs. The technical training ranges from mangrove
planting techniques to food processing technologies. Women traditionally play an important role in e.g. rice farming or
collecting shell fi sh in mangroves. Green Coast rehabilitation projects focus specifi cally on regaining an income for these
women.
By May 2006, 44 rehabilitation projects have started operations, for a total sum of 570.000 euro, from which approximately
10,635 people will benefi t directly. Livelihoods are recovered by e.g. the provision of fi shing gear, fi sh processing, sewing
machines or goat farming. In planting coastal vegetations (including fruit trees) 577 hectares will be rehabilitated. All
projects are advised upon by a Provincial Reference Group, consisting of a gender expert and representatives of the
BRR, NGO-network WALHI and the Panglima Laot.
The Green Coast difference
Mangrove restoration is notoriously diffi cult: the wrong species have been planted in the wrong places or did not
involve the people living close to the mangroves. As a result many seedlings died. Green Coast in Indonesia uses
the following approach: local communities are offered technical and fi nancial support/micro-credit to restore their
livelihoods. In return the communities provide environmental services like replanting and maintaining coastal forest
and fruit trees or establishing nurseries. If more than 75 percent of the planted seedlings are still alive after a set
period (6-10 months) the credit becomes a grant.
Green Coast Project in Indonesia: POLICY
Ensuring Sustainable Coastal Resource Management
through Policy Work
Post-tsunami reconstruction efforts face the challenge of meeting immediate
humanitarian needs whilst balancing longer-term development and natural
disaster mitigation. A well-planned coastal development is needed for securing
a better future.
The tsunami aftermath in Indonesia has brought environmental concerns which need
to be addressed not merely at the community level, but also at the decision making
level. It is crucial to infl uence and engage the decision makers and community in
planning, implementing as well as supervising the reconstruction and rehabilitation
process as the policy developed will contribute to the future. At the same time, policy work is also aiming at providing
guidance for the reconstruction and rehabilitation process towards sustainable livelihoods and environment.
Two levels Approach
In creating a good understanding of environment
issues at all level, it is important to approach the
decision makers and coastal communities it-self. At
the decision makers’ level, the approach applied is
by providing inputs for policy making, through policy
analysis document. As for the community, the approach
used is by collecting on ground inputs and at the same
time giving a substantial policy support at some level.
Policy Analysis:
This approach is aiming at reviewing
the existing regulations pre and after tsunami in
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) province, including
the customary law which is the Traditional Sea Customary
Law or known as Hukom Adat Laot. It is viewed important
to take up this regulation as it is a part of the local wisdom
which has been passed on over centuries and still implemented amongst the coastal community, especially fi shers. The
Hukum Adat Laot regulates the fi shing activities of "Panglima Laot" (local commanders of the sea).
Approximately 43 regulations in Coastal Resources Management have been reviewed and defi ned three strategic
issues:
•
Rehabilitation and conservation of marine and fi sheries resources
•
Community participation in management of marine and fi sheries resources
•
Community empowerment in terms of economic livelihood
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
One of the recommendations of the Policy Analysis document for NAD and Nias
Island is to produce provincial law on coastal and marine resources management
including spatial planning issue. In supporting its technical implementation on
ground, governor’s decree for NAD and head of district’s decrees for Nias Island
is necessary to be developed. This policy analysis process also covers public
consultation activity in order to examine the document as well as gain inputs both
from the community and government.
On ground Inputs:
This approach is aiming at identifying the ”voice” from the
community in order to develop a bottom-up policy. Experiences have showed
that public acceptance plays a key role in policy implementation. Within this
approach regular meetings have been set up as the tool in obtaining inputs from
related parties involving the government, local NGOs as well as the community
representatives. On ground inputs were also obtained through discussions and
visits to small grants project sites. Within this approach some concerns revealed
which are the communities’ access in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process,
the coastal protection, and the gender issues.
Panglima Laot
The Panglima laot or known as Commander
of the Sea is a person who lead other fi shers
in a certain area and engaged under an
institution called Lembaga Hukom Adat Laot.
This system has been inherited since sixteen
centuries. The Lembaga Hukom Adat Laot
roles include conserving and managing the
fi shery resources and environment.
© WWF-US / Ralph ASHTON © WWF-Indonesia / Fazedah NASUTION
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights
• Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.
Small Grants Projects in Indonesia
The lessons learnt, bottlenecks and constraints of the Green Coast
project implementation
After 7 months of Green Coast Project implementation in Aceh and Nias several lessons
can be learnt as follow:
OBSTACLE:
Seedlings eaten by animals. The protection of seedlings from animals using wire/metal fences is very expensive. Wooden/bamboo fences seem not strong enough to protect the seedlings.SOLUTION:
A budget should be allocated for such issue, otherwise many of the planted seedlings will be killed by the animals (eg. goat, cattle)OBSTACLE:
Lack of skills. A number of local NGOs that received Small Grant funds seems to have a limited knowledge in doing seedling preparation and implementing rehabilitation techniques (including in species and site selections and its maintenance). Therefore, the community groups handled by such NGOs would implement rehabilitation works without proper guidance.SOLUTION:
A training of trainers (ToT) to a certain number of NGOs staff in seedling (silviculture) and rehabilitation techniques and let this trained people to transfer their knowledge to a number of community groups at the targeted rehabilitation sites in Aceh and Nias. Currently, under Green Coast project, WIIP is only able to provide training to the small number of NGO people in Banda Aceh because no budget allocated to do more broadly.OBSTACLE:
Insuffi cient fund to support monitoring and evaluation (MonEv). The MonEv of the SG projects’ implementation in the fi eld by WIIP is very limited in terms of its frequency and its area coverage. This was due to a very limited amount of fund allocated to do the MonEv (many project sites are remote and very costly to be visited) and limited number of people to do the works.SOLUTION:
MonEv is very important works to be implemented regularly and thoroughly, as it will not only record the project output/results, but it also will be able to provide directions from the earlier stages during the project implementation. Therefore, Monev should be properly structured, scheduled and budgeted from the planning process of the project, MonEv staff should be established and trained to enable them in providing solution to the problems that may discovered during the Monev tasks.OBSTACLE:
Lack of awareness. The GC project has not been equipped with awareness raising component. From the implementation of the SG’s rehabilitation works it was revealed that only a few of the local NGOs (including the local communities that they worked with) have a suffi cient knowledge about the important values of the healthy coastal ecosystems. Many of them were suspected of not having adequate understanding of why coastal areas are important to be rehabilitated and what are the function of mangroves for their livelihood and their living habitat (this can be seen from the removal of the 2 months planted mangrove seedlings and converted back into fi sh ponds in some areas and occupancy of coastal land areas to become their settlements).Green Coast activity implemented in various provinces
and/or coastal stretches
Until June 2006 the SG activities in Aceh and Nias can be summarized as follow:
From the above table it can be seen that the Green Coast Project, up to June 2006, has committed
to fund 50 local NGOs and CBOs to implement rehabilitation works in Aceh and Nias. If all trees
planted by the SG recipients survived until the end of Green Coast project, at least 1 millions trees
would have been re-greened in the Aceh and Nias coastal areas with the contribution from the
Oxfam Novib Netherlands funding support.
Stretch &
Procurement of fi shing tools
Cattle, goat and fi sh farming, small scale business
Ecotourism, coastal policy, livelihood (fi sh and cattle farming, agriculture), procurement
of fi shing tools, small scale business, food processing etc
Silvo-fi shery, combined milk fi sh farming with mangrove trees planting and procurement of
fi shing tools
Silvo-fi shery, combined milk fi sh farming with mangrove trees planting
Fish and crabs culture, chicken and duck farming
Technical support, advocacy and awareness raising and strengthen local capacity
Green Coast Project in Indonesia: ASSESSMENT
Guiding Sustainable Coastal Recovery Based on
Scientifi c Assessment
Assessing the damage
The earthquake and tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused major
damage to most of the coastline of the province of Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam (NAD) and islands off the west coast of Sumatra such
as Simeulue Island and the Nias Islands. In March 2005 there was
a second very large earthquake, which struck the Nias Islands
particularly badly. These disaster caused physical and ecological
damage and resulted in large scale rehabilitation needs on all
levels.
Wetlands International Indonesia Program collaborated intensively together with local NGOs and the university conducted
many assessments on the following priority coastal stretches: Simeuleu, Nagan Raya and Aceh Barat, Banda Aceh and
Aceh Besar, Pidie, Aceh Utara and Lhokseumawe and Nias Island. The purpose of the assessments is to fi gure out the
tsunami impacts on the coastal environment. In addition it investigates the potential
for rehabilitation, combined with community livelihood development in the
tsunami-affected areas.
* soil and agricultural development * fi sheries
* biodiversity
* social economic development
Damaged site and its potential
rehabilitation
Damaged site and its potential
Damaged site and its potential
The assessment work report shows that all of the coastal sites have
suffered differently from the earthquake and tsunami. In Simeulue for
instance, the tsunami lifted the island and the coastline has
been broadened. In Aceh Barat agricultural lands were damaged,
partly due to salt water. In spite of severe damages on coastal
areas, the assessment work also defi nes remained potentials for
rehabilitation.
Map of distribution of Small Grants in the Aceh District
Signifi cant Finding
At least six new lagoons established;
four in Aceh Besar, one in Nagan Raya
and one in Aceh Barat. These lagoons
were formerly rice fi eld, tambak ponds or
river mouth, but due to the coastal land
subsidence and block of the front areas
(facing the sea) by the tsunami sand,
they now formed lagoons with a slightly
brackish up to saline waters.
Following is brief information of the impact, status and needs for the priority coastal stretches damaged the most by the tsunami:
Simeulue Island: Coastal Ecosystem Rehabilitation Through Fisherfolks’ Livelihood Development
Simeulue Island was severely damaged by the tsunami. Still there are possibilities to recover both the environment and people’s livelihoods. Assessments have been done in the villages Alus-alus and Labuhan Bakti. In this area, the tsunami and earthquake have changed the morphological form of the coastal area. Because the island was lifted, its coastal area has broadened and dried out. This killed the coral reefs and the island’s mangrove trees, but no damage was found on the agricultural lands. The main conclusions of the assessment are that in Simeulue, the agricultural lands are still in good condition. Agriculture and captured fi sheries could be developed in this area. The potential for rehabilitation can be implemented in the sandy beach area and in the damaged mangrove habitat.
Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya: Coastal Beach Rehabilitation Through Agriculture Based Livelihoods Development
In Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya assessments have been done in the villages Cot Rambong, Kuala Trang, Pucok Lueng and Lok Bubon. Agricultural lands here suffered damage from the tsunami, possibly from the infl ux of salt water, but also as a result of being silted up by tsunami mud. The land is now covered by shrubs and bushes. The main conclusions of the assessments are that in Aceh Barat and Nagan Raya districts the drainage canals were damaged by the tsunami. Agricultural lands were contaminated by sea water. Restoration of the canals and agriculture lands is therefore required. Captured fi sheries and vegetation rehabilitation can also be implemented in this coastal area.
Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh: Coastal Ecosystem Rehabilitation Through Coastal Resources Based Livelihoods Development
In Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh assessments have been done in the villages Tibang, Lam Dingin, Neuhun and Lamnga. The tsunami has silted up the aquaculture ponds in this area. Some ponds have even disappeared due to land subsidence; they were inundated by sea water. For the Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh districts, the main conclusions of the assessments are that ponds restorations are likely to be made in Neuhun and Lamnga. But for the severely damaged ponds in Tibang and Lam Dingin this will be too costly. The disappeared ponds can potentially be planted with mangroves.
Pidie, Aceh Utara and Lhokseumawe: Mangrove Ecosystem Rehabilitation Through Silvo-fi shery
These areas used to be a very thick mangrove forests, but it was converted long before the tsunami stroke Aceh. Tsunami has severely destructed the ponds and some of the villages, most ponds not yet restored due to a heavily degradation and costly to restore; and some villages border with the sea are facing serious abrasion. This region should receive serious mangrove rehabilitation, otherwise lots of ponds and villages will be disappeared. An environmentally friendly coastal aquaculture which is silvofi shery (combination of mangrove and aquaculture) suits to be implemented in this area.
Nias Island: Mangrove Ecosystem Rehabilitation Through Silvofi shery
In Nias Island assessments have been done in the villages Moafe, Lafau and Onolimbu. In Lafau and Moafe the earthquake in March 2005 has caused land to be lifted and many mangrove trees were found dead. But in Onolimbu Village the land subsided in a band one-hundred meters wide stretching inland from the former coast line. Here a number of coconut trees were inundated by sea water and died. The main conclusion of the research is that fi sheries could be developed in Moafe and Iafau Village. Yet rehabilitation seems to face serious substrate and water constraints. In Onolimbu Village coastal captured fi shery can still be developed.
A full report of the assessment work can be found on the Green Cost website: www.wetlands.org/greencoast/EN/
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights • Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal
natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.
In Indonesia the Green Coast project is being implemented by the Wetlands International Indonesia Programme, WWF-Indonesia and Both ENDS´ partner GEF-Small Grants Program.
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
Small Grants Projects in Indonesia: Coastal region of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar
Community-Based Marine
Protected Area for Sustainable
Fisheries
Eliminating Destructive Fishing in Anoi Itam Village,
Sabang District
On the 26
thof December 2004 …
…Anoi Itam, a village, located in about 12 kilometres
away from Sabang city, must experience with much
more damaged coral reefs which were already
existed before the earthquake and tsunami. The
damage was a result of destructive
fi shing practices and it had caused
the community - mostly fi sher- a
signifi cant less income each day in
this area. An integrated approach in
conserving the coastal resources is
a must for maximum results, either
for the environmental or economic
concerns.
The objective of the project
The long term goal of the project is to
establish a sustainable community based
coastal resource management. The main objectives of the project are:
§
Establishing a community based marine protected area through collaborative work
with local government
§
Re-greening coastal areas by planting at least 3.000 coastal vegetation
§
Developing a strategic plan for a village level integrated coastal management
§
Revitalizing the traditional regulations in conserving coastal resources
Sea Garden in Sabang
© WWF-Indonesia / Fazedah NASUTION The project at a glance…
Location:
Anoi Itam village, situated on North Coast of NAD, in Sabang District Period:
14 March 2006 up to 13 March 2007 Targeted number of benefi ciaries: Approximately 421 people
Approved budget: Euro 48,762
§
Strengthening the role and capacity of local institution
and community group by delivering trainings on organization
management, planning and development as well as sustainable
natural resources management
§
Capacity building for community in organizing eco-tourism
business as alternatives for income resource
Who is implementing the project
The project is being implemented by Pusat Gerakan dan Advokasi
Rakyat (PUGAR) which facilitates a collaborative work between local
community and other stakeholders by carrying out a series public
consultation, training and advocacy. The establishment of a community
based protected area will be managed under a village level strategic plan and a revitalized traditional
regulation and institution.
What do the benefi ciaries have
to say?
“We used to obtain approximately IDR 70.000 (equals to
USD 7), but then it got less each day since fi shermen
from outside our village using damaging fi shing gears
like bomb, poison and trawl in catching the fi sh. Now,
with the opportunity offered within the project, we have
to improve our efforts in conserving our areas and its
resources for a sustainable benefi t.”
(Ahmad, Benefi ciary)
Anoi Itam area© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
Map of Sabang District
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights • Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal
natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.
Small Grants Projects in Indonesia: Coastal region of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar
Understanding Linkages of
Mangrove Forest and Livelihood
A best practice model in Lam Ujong Village,
Aceh Besar District
On the 26
thof December 2004 …
…Lam Ujong is a village located in Baitussalam
sub district of Aceh Besar district. It takes about
30 minutes drive from Banda Aceh to Lam Ujong.
There was 189 people (from total of 600) in this
village were killed over the tsunami. In early 90s
about 50 ha of the former mangrove areas were
converted to brackish water fi shponds
and salt pans. As the results of
tsunami, both ponds and the salt
pans silted up with mud. It leaves the
community with very limited option in
continuing their livelihood activities.
The project
Within the project implementation, the community
groups from three sub-villages are provided with
working capital to run small scale silvo-fi shery. In
Indonesia a silvo-fi shery concept has been applied
since early 90s. This concept is to combine fi sh
pond (for farming fi sh and shrimp) with mangrove
trees in the pond. A certain percentage of the pond
will be forming a gutter of where fi sh/shrimps can
live, while in the middle of the pond and also on the
dikes, the mangrove is allowed to grow. By doing this, the mangrove, apart from fi rming the dikes construction (piled up
using pond earth/soil), it will also act as shelter for the fi sh and provide natural food and fertilizers to the pond.
In most coastal aquaculture the present of freshwater (later to be mixed with salt water), usually provided by the river
nearby the ponds, is a must in order to maintained the ponds water salinity brackish; as Penaeid shrimps and fi shes
(usually milk fi sh,
Chanos chanos
Chanos chanos
Chanos chanos
) farmed in the ponds at some stages required such conditions. In order to protect
the river banks from abrasion and to obtain the better river water quality,e.g. less turbid water, the river banks (also part
of the ponds) are planted with mangroves.
© WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
The project at a glance…
Location
:
Ujung Blang, Ule Jalan and Teungah
sub-villages of Lam Ujong Village
located in Aceh Besar District
Period:
28 February 2006 up to 28 February
2007
Targeted number of benefi ciaries
:
Approximately 150 families
Approved Budget
:
Euro 26.000 (for 3 sub-villages)
Having mangrove trees both in the ponds and in the river, not only improve the water quality and strengthened the pond
and river banks structures but it also protects the fi shers’ settlements which usually located nearby their ponds from
future disasters (including abrasion, sea current, hurricane etc).
In implementing this silvo-fi shery concept in 3 sub-villages (Ujung Blang, Ule Jalan and Teungah), the community
groups are requested to plant mangrove seedlings on their ponds and it dikes (82,000 seedlings) and at the river banks
(20,000 seedlings), and in return to these works the groups are provided with small grants from the Green Coast Project
that can be used as a working capital to implement fi sh farming in their replanted (silvo-fi shery) ponds and cattle farming
in their owned land.
Apart from above, as a consequence of receiving the grants, the groups are also obliged to maintain the seedlings that
they planted to least 70% survived until the end of the project period in 2007.
Who is implementing the project
The project is implemented by community based organization groups in Ujung Blang, Ule Jalan and Teungah
sub-villages of Lam Ujong village under Wetlands International Indonesia Program advisory and supervision.
Brackish water ponds historical development and concept for Silvo-fi shery
OLD MODEL:
Cross section of old fashion pond with no mangrove leftNEW MODEL:
Cross section of pond with mangrove butno chicken farming in the middle View from above of the latest model, effi cient in land use
MODIFIED NEW MODEL:
Cross section of pondwith mangrove and chicken/duck/goat farming in the middleFARM
DIKE
Mangrove & wildlife
© Illustrations by Nyoman Suryadiputra
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights
• Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.
Small Grants Projects in Indonesia: Coastal region of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar
Ensuring Long-term Sustainability Uses
of the New Coastal Wetland Ecosystems
Established After the Tsunami
A pilot project proposed of integrated lagoon management in Pulot
Village, Aceh Besar District.
T
he tsunami on December 2004 then followed with the earthquake on
TT
March 2005 has caused a number of new established coastal wetland
types along the west and south west coast of Aceh. Among these
coastal wetland types are lagoon, brackish-water swamp and salt water
pools. One of these lagoons is located in Pulot Village of Leupung
Sub-district, Aceh Besar District.
Based on the environmental assessment works carried out by Wetlands
International Indonesia Programme (WIIP), it was discovered that this lagoon
showed high fi shery potential values to support the community livelihood that
can be combined with eco-tourism (such as tracking, climbing the hills, sport
fi shing), as at the back of the lagoon is a hilly areas (with spring water fed to
the lagoon) and in front of the lagoon the white sand beach and Indian Ocean
view are beautiful. This lagoon has an easy access as it is located beside
the old main road (currently being reconstructed) which connects Banda
Aceh and Meulaboh. Previously, the community in this area were very much
dependant on agriculture (paddy fi eld), fi shery (aquaculture and catching)
and mixed farm land. But due to the catastrophe, most of this agriculture
land and fi sh ponds were destroyed (mainly inundated with salt water and
now formed a waterlogged area/lagoon, silted up by sand or tsunami mud).
Therefore, their livelihood are seriously affected. The economic values
potential offered by the newly established lagoon is indeed a good hope for
the community as one of their livelihood resource alternatives.
The Threats
This lagoon is now facing several problems such as siltation due to banks
erosion, fi lled up remaining tsunami debris, potential environmental impact
from the road construction and no clear management status of the area.
The project at a glance…
Location:
Pulot Village, situated on North Coast of NAD, Aceh Besar District. Period:
June 2006 up to March 2007 Targeted number of benefi ciaries: Approximately 170 households Approved budget:
Euro 51,150
Rehabilitated Targeted Area: 75 ha
© WIIP
Erosion in the lagoon
Action Undertaken
In order to safe the Pulot’s lagoon (including its coastal
wetlands surrounding the lagoon) for the present and future
benefi ts of the people living surrounding it and for the sake
of maintaining the fi shery diversity in the lagoon, the project
is therefore proposing a community based participation
on coastal wetlands (focusing on lagoon area and its
surrounding) integrated management in Pulot Village through
a number of activities as follow:
(1) Coastal wetlands management (mapping and zoning of
the lagoon area, establishing community based lagoon
and other coastal wetlands’ resource utilization rules
and management)
(2) Capacity building (including training on seedling
preparation and vegetation rehabilitation)
(3) Rehabilitation of lagoon banks and its surrounding through vegetation rehabilitation
(4) Awareness raising (cleaning up lagoons from debris and garbage and producing campaign and
awareness materials)
(5) Community livelihood enhancement programme trough fi shery, agriculture and eco-tourism sectors
Partner on ground
In implementing the project, the WIIP is working
closely with the Pulot Village community. The
community is actively involved in maintaining,
rehabilitating and protecting their coastal
ecosystems. This includes planting lagoon banks
and cleaning it from the debris and practicing
environmentally friendly fi shery techniques (e.g.
using appropriate fi shing techniques that not
damage fi sh population in the sea and in the
lagoon).
© WIIP
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights • Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal
natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.
Small Grants Projects in Indonesia: Coastal region of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar
Coastal Rehabilitation throughout
Women’s Hands
On the 26th of December 2004…
…an earthquake struck 150 km off the coast of Aceh followed
by the tsunami wave which swept clean an 800 km coastal strip
– equivalent to the coastline from San Francisco to San Diego.
Some 130,000 people were killed and 37,000 remain missing.
Damage in fi sheries sector fi gured 4,717 coastal fi shing boats
lost and 20,000 ha of fi sh ponds destroyed or out of action.
(A Joint Report of The BRR and International Partners, December 2005: ACEH AND NIAS ONE YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMI; The Recovery Effort and Way Forward).Tibang, a village, located in the coastal region of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar which were known as the densest region
in Aceh province. Out of 171 thousands people dead and 70 percent people claimed missing over tsunami were from
this region. Tsunami swept almost entire coastal vegetations and fi shponds. The assessment reveals that most of the
wetland types were severely degraded by tsunami, silted up by mud and inundated by sea water due to coastal land
subsidence. The areas need a massive rehabilitation effort using mangroves species, especially in the ex fi shpond wich
was the community´s main livelihood source.
Women’s Role
Before the tsunami, the women have signifi cant
roles in many areas, such as rice farming, fi sh
processing and oysters collecting which are
livelihoods that totally rely on ecosystems. After
tsunami, however, women roles have been
reduced as the resources ecosystems were
damaged. Most of the women groups in this
area gained their income from collecting oyster
in mangroves roots. Women took very good care
of mangrove habitats as they were well aware
of damaged mangroves would affect the yield
of the oysters. They also replanted mangroves
seedlings while collecting oyster. Within this
project the women continue what they had been
doing before.
The project at a glance…
Location:
Tibang Village located on North
Coast of NAD, in Banda Aceh District
Period:
28 November 2005 up to February
2007
Targeted number of benefi ciaries:
Approximately 143 families
Approved budget:
Euro 20.000.
Rehabilitated Targeted Area:
12 ha
They directly engaged in the process of coastal rehabilitation
starting from developing seedlings, planting mangroves up
to maintaining the planted trees.
Under this project, the women are also developing their
ways towards self-reliance by running and managing their
own small-scale businesses.
Besides asissting women groups to rehabilitate coastal
ecosystem,
Yayasan Gajah Sumatera (YaGaSu)
also
assists women groups in developing the business plan,
production training and marketing. At present they have
produced and soled fruit crispy and develop crab fattening.
The objective of the project
The aim of the project is to obtain long term commitment in restoring damaged coastal as well as improving their
livelihood. The main objectives are:
* To plant at least 110.000 seedling of mangroves and coastal vegetation.
* To establish sustainable small scale industries organized by the women.
Who is implementing the project
The
project
is
funded By Green Coast Project and
implemented by Yayasan Gajah Sumatera (YaGaSu)
which is actively involved in assisting women groups in developing the business plan, production and
marketing.
What do the benefi ciaries have to say?
“Ensuring sustainable rehabilitation in the long-term is essential particularly if the community relies on the coastal natural
resources for putting food on the table. Community active participation is required in all rehabilitation efforts including
restoring damaged ecosystems in order to obtain a better support of sustainable livelihood at the local level.”
(Imelda, YaGaSu)
Fruit crackers packing by the Tibang Woman Group © WIIP / Muhammad ILMAN
What is the Green Coast project?
The Green Coast Project aims to restore coastal ecosystems and provide natural shelter and other benefi ts and services to people that live in vulnerable coastal regions. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia partner organizations work together in three closely interlinked parts of the Green Coast project, to:
• Assess the tsunami impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods, as well as local communities views and rights
• Infl uence governments and aid agencies and corporate sector to sustainable manage and restore coastal natural resources
• Facilitate small grants for community-based rehabilitation projects
The project is managed by Wetlands International and fi nanced during 1,5 year by Novib/Oxfam Netherlands through Dutch public charity funds.