Indonesian Forest Day 2025: climate crisis, tidal floods, and increasing forests

Semarang, August 8, 2025 – In the momentum of the commemoration of Indonesian Forest Day, Tunungihutan raised the urgency of protecting the forest area in the midst of the increasing climate crisis and ecological disasters, especially in the north coast of Java. Areas like Semarang and Demak are now a real witness of the damage to mangrove forests which have a direct impact on the lives of thousands of coastal communities.

Along with the increase in global temperatures and rising sea levels, tidal floods that used to only occur occasionally are now a threat that comes almost every month. Villages such as Bedono, Mangunharjo, and Trimulyo are now surrounded by sea water, some of them cannot even be inhabited. In many cases, this event is not only due to natural phenomena, but the result of the loss of mangrove forest cover which used to function as a green belt retaining abrasion and natural fortress against sea water.

“We are not talking about the threat of the future. The impact we have felt today, the land is lost, the house is submerged, the livelihoods disappear. Mangrove forests are not just coastal landscapes, but a crucial natural defense system,” said Ben, CEO of Dindungihutan.

Dindungihutan has carried out various conservation and planting projects in vulnerable coastal areas, including in Trimulyo and Mangunharjo (Semarang), and Bedono, (Demak). This program involves collaboration between local communities, volunteers, and corporate partners to restore damaged mangrove areas. Thousands of trees have been planted as an effort to restore ecological functions and withstand the rate of abrasion. However, this struggle cannot be separated from challenges. At some point, infrastructure development projects such as toll roads actually cross the conservation area that has previously been planted, creating a paradox between development and environmental protection.

Forest damage and land conversion also exacerbated carbon emissions and air quality, two major issues directly related to the climate crisis. Mangrove, as the most effective carbon absorber among all types of forests, has a big role in the mitigation of climate change. When this ecosystem is damaged, not only the coast is eroded, but also the capacity of the earth to absorb carbon is reduced.

Indonesian Forest Day is a reflective moment that confirms that forest preservation can no longer be seen as a symbolic activity. This is part of a survival strategy in the midst of increasingly common climate disasters. Dindungihutan invites all parties, the community, government, industry players, and local communities, to work together to protect the remaining forest areas and expand the narrowed green open space.

Through the tree donation program, natural campaigns, to green CSR, Dindungihutan opens a collaboration space that can be followed by anyone. Every tree planted today not only saves ecosystems, but also gives hope to the future of humans. Because when the last forest is lost and the land is no longer able to hold sea water, the crisis we face is no longer about the environment, but about humanity itself.

About protected

Protikihutan is an environmental start-up that focuses on forest conservation actions and the empowerment of the community around the forest. A total of 1 million trees have been planted with more than 600+ brands and companies. We are cooperating with local people in 30+ planting locations spread across Indonesia. We present several programs such as Corporatree, Collaboratree with a product bundling scheme, service bundling and project partner, as well as carbon offset programs.

This press release has also been aired on Vritimes