CPDS–UNRI Actively Contributes to the Consolidation and Review of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Activity Plan in Riau Province 2024
Pekanbaru, 7–8 August 2025 – The Head of the Center for Peatland and Disaster Studies (CPDS) – Universitas Riau, Dr. Sigit Sutikno, served as a key speaker at the Consolidation and Review Meeting of the Activity Plan (RK) for the Mangrove Rehabilitation Acceleration Program (PRM) in Riau Province 2024, organized by the Directorate of Mangrove Rehabilitation, Directorate General of Watershed Management and Forest Rehabilitation, Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia.
Held at The Zuri Hotel, Pekanbaru, the event brought together national and regional government agencies, universities, and community representatives. The primary aim was to ensure alignment, location accuracy, and integration of mangrove rehabilitation activities in Riau for interventions planned in 2025–2027.
The Role of CPDS – Universitas Riau in PRM Riau
In his presentation, Dr. Sigit Sutikno explained that CPDS, through the Peatland and Disaster Science and Technology Excellence Center (PUI-GK), played an active role in preparing the PRM Riau Province 2024 Activity Plan, which included: Drafting PRM Activity Plans under both self-managed schemes (Type-1 and Type-2), Developing a Mangrove Rehabilitation Roadmap for Kuala Selat Village, Indragiri Hilir Regency, Deploying field teams consisting of lecturers, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and local partners, covering a total planned rehabilitation area of 3,001 hectares across five regencies: Bengkalis, Rokan Hilir, Indragiri Hilir, Kepulauan Meranti, and Pelalawan.
Involvement of PPIU Riau Province
As the field execution unit for PRM, the Project Preparation and Implementation Unit (PPIU) of Riau Province played a strategic role in overseeing all stages of implementation. PPIU ensured the suitability of planting locations, compliance with technical specifications, and facilitated coordination between technical teams, local communities, and other stakeholders. Close collaboration between PPIU and CPDS–Universitas Riau was a key factor in the successful preparation and verification of the Activity Plan.
Key Issues and Challenges
The presentation also highlighted several technical challenges, such as: Land-use change to oil palm plantations, Biophysical conditions unsuitable for mangrove planting, Land ownership disputes in certain areas, Overlaps with previous rehabilitation programs, Dr. Sigit emphasized the importance of scientific data-driven approaches, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and active community participation to ensure the success of PRM in Riau Province.
Collaborating for Sustainable Mangrove Rehabilitation
This meeting served as a strategic forum to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in conserving mangrove ecosystems, which play a vital role in climate change mitigation, coastal protection, and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. With the active involvement of CPDS–UNRI and PPIU Riau Province, the acceleration of mangrove rehabilitation in Riau is expected to be effective, well-targeted, and sustainable.
Photo Gallery
Head of CPDS–Universitas Riau, Dr. Sigit Sutikno, delivering a presentation on CPDS’s role in preparing the PRM Riau Province 2024 Activity Plan at The Zuri Hotel, Pekanbaru.
Consolidation and review meeting of PRM Riau Province 2024 attended by representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, PPIU Riau, academia, and community groups.