Bogor, W. Java, June 14 -- Environment Minister Moh. Jumhur Hidayat revealed that approximately 700,000 hectares of mangroves areas across Indonesia are currently damaged and require urgent restoration.

Speaking at the Indonesian Bamboo Foundation in Cibinong, West Java, Sunday, he revealed that the damaged areas account for nearly a fifth of the nation's total 3.4-million-hectare mangrove footprint.

"Of the 3.4 million hectares of mangroves, approximately 700,000 hectares are problematic and damaged. This is part of our responsibility to ensure mangrove replanting," Jumhur stated.

According to the minister, accelerated mangrove restoration is vital for global climate change mitigation, given the ecosystem's extraordinary capacity to t...