Guardians of the Semarang Coast

In the late 1990s, large-scale pond openings triggered abrasion on the northern coast of Semarang city. Reluctant to stand idle, Sururi (62) struggled to fortify the coast with mangroves.

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

Sururi

In the late 1990s, large-scale pond openings triggered abrasion on the northern coast of Semarang city. However, when the tides overtook the ponds, the cultivators left behind a destroyed environment. Reluctant to stand idle, Sururi (62) struggled to fortify the coast with mangroves.

Initially, Semarang city’s west coast in Mangunharjo village, Tugu district was packed with mangroves. However, along with rampant extensification of ponds for tiger prawn cultivation, mangroves have been cleared for ponds. People are often tempted to profit without considering the future of the environment.