Women-Led Mangrove Forest in Papua Faces Growing Threats from Pollution and Development.

Photo by Jahra Tasfia Reza on pexels.com 

Evidence shows that the mangrove forest managed by women from Enggros village in Indonesia is under threat. As pollution and third-party development expand across the country, mangrove forests in Indonesia's Papua region that sustain indigenous traditions, are shrinking.

Mangrove forests are an important part of indigenous traditions in the region. In recent years, the local population has reported a range of changes that are progressively worsening. For instance, the forest area has reduced, and plant and animal life has been negatively affected by pollution, urbanization, and biodiversity loss. Large infrastructure projects, including a 700-meter bridge into Jayapura that crosses the village's pier, have been built, destroying acres of forest. Youtefa Bay's mangrove forest covered roughly 514 hectares (1,270 acres) in the early 1960s, and it is currently less than half that size, according to estimates. 

Today, Youtefa Bay, where the sea’s water and five rivers in Papua meet, is heavily polluted by waste carried through the rivers as they pass through Jayapura. Plastic items and other debris are scattered throughout the area. The water around the mangrove forest is also polluted and dark. High levels of lead from household and commercial waste were detected in the bay at various locations, according to a 2020 study. The report highlighted that lead may be harmful to both aquatic life and humans and may have contaminated species that residents of Youtefa Bay frequently consume. Additional research revealed that the number of crab and shellfish has progressively decreased.

The mangrove forest is considered essential for the preservation of the indigenous community, especially for indigenous women. The forest is managed entirely by women, who collect clams and then sell them in local markets. Men are not allowed to enter the area, making it a safe place for women and girls. Since 2026, when the leader of Enggros formally changed its name, it has been referred to as the “women's forest”. Merajue, one of the women of the forest, explained that “The customs and culture of Papuans, especially those of us in Enggros village, is that women are not given space and place to speak in traditional meetings, so the tribal elders provide the mangrove forest as our land,”. She added that it is “a place to find food, a place for women to tell stories, and women are active every day and earn a living every day.”

Several studies have underlined the importance of preserving mangrove forests. Experts explain that mangroves can cushion the effects of severe weather phenomena, such as tsunamis, and give ecosystems the conditions they need to thrive. Crustaceans, prawns, lobsters, crabs, and fish are among the marine species that flourish in mangrove ecosystems and sustain local fisheries, providing coastal communities with food and income. For women, who work primarily in spaces between the mangroves, the forest also fulfills social and cultural roles. Experts have been supporting the local community in efforts to protect the mangrove forest, and Enggros women are establishing nursery facilities and cultivating new mangrove trees where possible.

In recent years, experts and international institutions have urged stronger protective measures. John Dominggus Kalor, a lecturer on fisheries and marine sciences at Cenderawasih University, highlighted in his studies that “the threats related to heavy metal contamination, microplastics, and public health are high, in the future, it will have an impact on health.” Kalor also advocates for regional regulations to protect both Youtefa Bay and the women's forests. UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay remarked that “Beyond protection and restoration, we need global awareness. This requires educating and alerting the public, not only in schools, but wherever possible,” urging global commitment to the protection of mangrove ecosystems.

written by Ludovica Muncibì