Mangrove Forest Recovery Awaits Former National Strategic Project Area on Tangerang Coast

Dadang, standing on his farmland in Kampung Kramat, Desa Kramat, Kecamatan Pakuhaji, Kabupaten Tangerang, Banten, gazes at the remnants of dried mangrove trees. This area, once lush with dense mangrove forests that provided a livelihood for residents, is now largely gone and barren. Approximately 200 meters from where Dadang stands, a sign in the middle of the land reads, “Ex National Strategic Project (PSN) area for PIK 2 Tropical Coastland, which has been revoked and is under the control of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through the Forest Area Order Task Force (Satgas PKH).” "This used to be all mangroves, from here to there, planted by the residents," Dadang said, pointing to the mangroves before him, on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). On March 13, the Satgas PKH took over approximately 1,600 hectares of protected forest area on the northern coast of Tangerang, including the mangrove forest in Desa Kramat, from the control of PT Mutiara Intan Permai (MIP), a subsidiary of Agung Sedayu Group (ASG) owned by conglomerate Sugianto Kusuma alias Aguan. This government action is part of the reclamation of forest areas based on Presidential Regulation No. 5/2025 and Government Regulation No. 45/2025. These regulations concern the orderliness of forest areas and the formation of the Satgas PKH. Initially, this region was designated as a National Strategic Project, PIK 2 Tropical Coastland. Since its designation in 2024, the project has sparked controversy, ranging from land issues, coastal development, to its impact on residents. Dadang stands in front of a sign in the reclaimed protected forest area, formerly part of the PIK 2 National Strategic Project in Tangerang Regency. Photo: Anggita Raissa/Mongabay Indonesia When the mangrove forests began to be destroyed, Dadang still remembers well…This article was originally published on Mongabay