Semarang-Mechanical Student Association has carried out environmental service “Mangrove Planting” which is one of the work programs in the Social Care Division of the Mechanical Student Association, Diponegoro University. The event took place in Mangunharjo, Tugu, Mangkang Wetan, Semarang at 09.00 – 12.00 WIB on May 05 2018. This event includes improving the environment around the sea coast and sustainable maintenance of mangrove plants as an effort to prevent seawater abrasion with the theme “Save the Earth in Our Hand “.
A senior researcher from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Daniel Murdiyarso, in his research (Murdiyarso et al., 2015), explains that Indonesia’s mangrove forests store five times more carbon per hectare, than highland tropical forests. Indonesia’s mangroves also store 3.14 billion metric tons of carbon (PgC). While the lower part of the ecosystem stores carbon by: 78% carbon in soil, 20% carbon in living trees, roots or biomass, and 2% in dead or fallen trees. Based on information from CIFOR, regarding Indonesian Mangroves, it states that national wealth is under threat, it is stated that around 3 million hectares of mangrove forest grow along 95,000 kilometers of the Indonesian coast. Even though we know that forests, one of which is the mangrove forest, are the lungs of the world whose existence determines the life around them. More oxygen will be available in the environment to meet the needs of other living things. The presence of many forests such as mangroves means that environmental sustainability and ecosystems can be maintained properly.
Furthermore, as a form of dharma bhakti Tri Dharma higher education, HMM Undip in collaboration with the Semarang City Forestry Service to provide 1000 mangrove seedlings which are prepared for planting in the Mangunharjo area. understanding of the importance of protecting mangroves. The event was attended by Undip Mechanical Engineering students and residents around Mangunharjo with great enthusiasm. Starting with an explanation from the mangrove manager, introducing mangrove plants and how to plant and care for mangroves in a sustainable manner. Then the event continued with the planting of mangroves, although the sea water conditions at that time were still at high tide, it did not discourage students and local residents from contributing to prevent seawater abrasion in the future.