Java needs sea wall, mangrove restoration to protect northern coast

BOGOR, West Java – Indonesia’s environmental ministry is pushing for a hybrid coastal defence along the northern Java coast, consisting of estuary protection, groundwater control, tight spatial planning and mangrove restoration.

Northern Java is facing a serious threat of coastal abrasion, tidal floods and land subsidence. Although the construction of a giant sea wall has value in protecting economic activities on the coast, the concrete structure is not the sole solution, Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat said on June 2.