TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Mangroves were growing thick on the forest area of Opak River estuary in Baros hamlet, Tirtohargo Village, Kretek Sub-district, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Central Java. Many kinds of trees were growing around the mangrove swamp giving more green scenery to the estuary. The view at Opak River Estuary has changed compared to its appearance before the continuous conservation done by the youth of Baros hamlet.
"Eleven years ago, there was not a single mangrove growing in the estuary," said the Chairman of Baros Youth, Dwi Ratmanto.
Before the conservation, the estuary was only a plain sandy delta without too many fish. The residents often caught the fish in the estuary using electricity or blasting the river with potassium. It killed small fishes and even the eggs.
The damage in the Opak estuary ecosystem had moved the youth to gather and campaign for the river conservation. The youth community stuck at least 15 sign boards indicating alongside the estuary that prohibit people from fishing carelessly.
The community will capture stubborn people who still stun or blast the fishes. In cooperation with Bantul Marine and Fisheries Agency, they would sue the culprit. The community also works together with Forestry Faculty of Universitas Gajah Mada and a non-governmental organization, Relung.
SHINTA MAHARANI