BALI – The Bali chapter of the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (Ikatan Wartawan Online/IWO Bali) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Bali’s natural environment through mangrove planting and conservation monitoring. The initiative also encourages younger generations to take an active role in preserving coastal ecosystems and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The commitment was demonstrated through the planting of Avicennia marina mangroves alongside Bali Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta at the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park (Taman Hutan Raya/Tahura Ngurah Rai) in Denpasar, Bali, on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Held in commemoration of Indonesia’s Youth Pledge Day, the activity involved dozens of students from the Nature Lovers Club (Sispala) of SMA Negeri 1 Kuta, together with Sahabat Mangrove Ranger Indonesia. Their participation highlighted the importance of engaging young people in protecting Bali’s environment.
IWO Bali Chairperson Tri Widiyanti said the participation of journalists in the initiative reflected a commitment to translating environmental awareness into concrete action.
According to Tri, journalists have a responsibility not only to deliver information to the public but also to contribute directly to environmental protection.
She emphasized that IWO Bali’s commitment extends beyond planting seedlings. In collaboration with the Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD Tahura Ngurah Rai), the organization is also prepared to help monitor mangrove areas to support long-term conservation efforts.
A joint commitment was signed by IWO Bali and UPTD Tahura Ngurah Rai, demonstrating their shared determination to support mangrove protection and conservation.
“Beyond planting mangroves, we are also committed to monitoring mangrove areas under the management of UPTD Tahura Ngurah Rai,” Widy said.
She added that environmental protection requires cooperation among communities, government institutions, journalists and the wider public. The mangrove planting initiative is therefore intended to be more than a one-day event; it aims to strengthen collective awareness and encourage sustained action to protect Bali’s natural environment.
The involvement of students is also expected to foster environmental responsibility from an early age. Young people need to understand that protecting nature is a shared responsibility that requires consistent commitment across generations.
Mangroves play a vital role in maintaining coastal ecosystems. They help reduce coastal erosion, provide habitats for various marine and coastal species, and absorb and store carbon, contributing to efforts to address climate change.
Meanwhile, Bali Deputy Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta stressed that mangrove planting must not end as a ceremonial activity. Seedlings must be maintained and monitored to ensure they survive, grow properly and deliver tangible environmental benefits.
“Not every problem can be solved individually, but solutions can be achieved together. We believe this restoration effort can be addressed through collective action. Let us care for our motherland: one mangrove, a million benefits,” Giri Prasta said.
Through this initiative, IWO Bali hopes the spirit of Indonesia’s Youth Pledge Day will translate into meaningful environmental action. Collaboration among journalists, government agencies, environmental communities and young people is expected to strengthen long-term efforts to preserve Bali’s natural heritage.
For IWO Bali, protecting nature means more than planting trees. It means ensuring that ecosystems remain healthy and nurturing a shared understanding that every generation has a responsibility to care for the Earth.
