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large part of mangrove forests along 51 kilometers of Tangerang regency coastline has depleted over the past year, putting residents in coastal areas at risk of tidal waves and rising sea levels.

“Diminishing plants are attributed to the government’s lack of commitment to conservation of mangrove forests. This condition has been exacerbated by economic activities by locals such as uncontrolled sand quarrying along the beach,” Uyus Setia Bakti, coordinator of Banten Environmental Care Foundation (Yapelh), told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

A survey conducted by the green group recently found that mangrove forests in Kohod, Keramat, Karang Serang, Margamulia, Tanjung Kait and Tanjung Burung villages had already perished.

“Many programs held to prevent the mangrove forests from more severe damage appear to be in vain,” Uyus said.

The Tangerang Environmental Management Agency (BPLH) data revealed mangrove forests covered 10,000 hectares a few decades ago.

A Yapelh survey held in 2007 found 3,000 hectares mangrove forests were left. Currently, the forest has shrunk to 500 hectares, and is situated within the area controlled by state forestry company PT Perhutani.

Uyus said many residents did not understand the importance of mangrove forest preservation and converted them into commercial areas, such as fish and shrimp farms.

However, head of land conservation and environmental damage control at the BPLH, Herry Herlan, said that the destruction of the mangrove forests was caused by large waves.

“The waves during seasonal transition periods are quite high with no wave breakers to protect the mangrove forests,” he said.

The Tangerang regency administration planted 9,000 mangrove seedlings in Mauk and Teluk Naga areas in 2006 to restore the forests, but local residents have cut them down.