Social Construction of Coastal Communities in Mangrove Conservation in Karangjaladri Village

Karangjaladri Village is located on the coast of Pangandaran, West Java, and has a mangrove ecosystem that plays a very important role in people’s lives. Local perspectives play a critical role in mangrove conservation efforts, as knowledge, local wisdom and cultural values shape approaches to mangrove forest management. Local traditions and values play an important role in ensuring that conservation activities are aligned with a people's cultural identity. This article aims to describe the social construction of coastal societies, especially in Karangjaladri Village, which plays a role in mangrove conservation efforts based on traditions, local wisdom, and cultural values. This local perspective creates a collective consciousness that leads the people to maintain the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem. This research can provide an understanding of the social construction of coastal societies in Karangjaladri Village by covering aspects of tradition and local knowledge in sustainable natural resource management. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques, namely interviews, observations and literature studies. Data analysis techniques are carried out by collecting data, classifying data, presenting data and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the social construction of the people in Karangjaladri Village in mangrove conservation efforts can be reviewed through three stages, namely externalization, objectivation, and internalization. At the externalization stage, the society showed commitment to mangrove conservation by actively participating in planting and maintenance activities. Furthermore, at the objectivation stage, the establishment of the Mangrove Seed Bank was carried out as an effort to provide access to quality seeds for the community. At the internalization stage, mangrove conservation values have become part of the people's social identity and daily life, while mangrove-based ecotourism programs provide economic benefits that encourage sustainable society involvement.