Community participation in mangrove conservation in the Buffer Zones of Langsa, Indonesia: A participatory approach

This community service activity aims to increase public participation in the efforts to conserve mangrove forests in the village of Sungai Paoh Tanjong, Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia. The method used was a participatory training approach through brainstorming sessions. A total of 23 participants, consisting of local youth, were selected for the training. The findings suggest that the local community showed high enthusiasm for the training, which aimed to enhance their participation in mangrove forest conservation, and it successfully motivated them towards this effort. Furthermore, the community expressed a desire for higher education institutions to facilitate mangrove planting activities, initiate the establishment of a village forest, and support the development of village regulations as legal frameworks to strengthen local conservation efforts. They also hope that the regional government will take serious action to promote the replanting of mangroves in the conservation areas.