Minister of Environment/Environmental Control Agency Regulation Number 8 of 2026 Regulates the Governance and Sustainable Protection of Mangrove Ecosystems

Introduction

On 22 June 2026, the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency issued Minister of Environment/Environmental Control Agency Regulation Number 8 of 2026 on the Procedures for the Designation and Amendment of Mangrove Ecosystem Functions, the Preparation, Establishment, and Amendment of the Basic Plan for Mangrove Landscape Units, and the Preparation, Establishment, and Amendment of Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plans (“MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026”), which took effect on 25 June 2026.

MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026 governs the planning, protection, and management of mangrove ecosystem areas to ensure that they are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in an integrated manner.

Through MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026, the Government establishes a regulatory framework governing the zoning and utilization of mangrove ecosystems. In addition, MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026 seeks to achieve a balance between the ecological protection function of coastal areas and their sustainable utilization to support the social and economic activities of local communities.

Key Provisions

Classification of Mangrove Ecosystem Functions

Pursuant to Article 2, the functions of Mangrove Ecosystems are classified into two categories, namely protection functions and cultivation functions.

Protection functions are designated for areas that include coastal buffer zones, river buffer zones, nature reserves, nature conservation areas, protected forests, as well as areas serving as habitats for protected fauna and stopover sites for migratory species.

Meanwhile, cultivation functions are designated for areas that do not meet the criteria for protection functions, with such designation based on an analysis of coastal vulnerability and the socio-economic conditions of local communities.

Preparation of the Basic Plan for Mangrove Landscape Units (“KLM”)

Pursuant to Article 9, the Government mandates the preparation of a Basic Plan for Mangrove Landscape Units (Kesatuan Lanskap Mangrove – “KLM”) as the principal reference framework for preparing Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plans at the national, provincial, and regency/municipality levels.

The Basic KLM Plan contains the results of the inventory and analysis of the condition of mangrove ecosystems within each KLM, together with directions and recommendations concerning their protection and management, covering aspects of utilization, control, monitoring, and institutional arrangements for mangrove ecosystem management.

Furthermore, Article 15 provides that the Basic KLM Plan must be formally established within no later than one (1) year after the KLM Map has been established through a Ministerial/Agency Head Decree.

Data Components for the Basic KLM Plan

The preparation of the Basic KLM Plan integrates two categories of data:

• Spatial Data: At a minimum, this must include the KLM area map and the officially designated mangrove ecosystem function map (Article 11 paragraph (2)).
• Non-Spatial Data: This includes the results of mangrove inventories, data on the coastal population, the level of vulnerability to climate change, and the socio-economic conditions of local communities (Article 11 paragraph (3)).

Multi-Level Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plan (“RPPEM”)

Article 18 requires the establishment of a Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plan (Rencana Pelindungan dan Pengelolaan Ekosistem Mangrove – “RPPEM”).

The RPPEM serves as the basis for environmental protection and management plans, the National Medium-Term Development Plan, and Regional Medium-Term Development Plans.

The RPPEM is prepared separately by the Minister/Head at the national level, by the Governor at the provincial level, and by the Regent/Mayor at the regency/municipality level.

Furthermore, Article 21 provides that, for regional governments (Governors and Regents/Mayors), the establishment of the regional RPPEM must be aligned with and based upon the Mangrove Ecosystem function map, the Basic KLM Plan, and the national RPPEM.

Validity Period, Evaluation, and Funding Scheme

Article 29 provides that an approved RPPEM will remain valid for a long-term period of up to thirty (30) years.

Nevertheless, Article 30 requires that the implementation of mangrove ecosystem functions be monitored and evaluated at least once every five (5) years. The results of such monitoring and evaluation may serve as the basis for amendments to Mangrove Ecosystem function policies, the Basic KLM Plan, and/or the Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plan.

Furthermore, Article 31 provides that funding for mangrove ecosystem management may be sourced from the State Budget (APBN), Regional Budgets (APBD), and/or other lawful funding sources in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations.

Validity of Existing Data

Pursuant to Article 32, Mangrove Ecosystem data that existed prior to the entry into force of MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026, namely before 25 June 2026, may continue to be used as the basis for the preparation and designation of Mangrove Ecosystem functions, the Basic Plan for Mangrove Landscape Units (KLM), and the Mangrove Ecosystem Protection and Management Plan (RPPEM), provided that such data do not conflict with the provisions of MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026.

Closing

MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026 strengthens the legal framework governing the protection and management of mangrove ecosystems, covering the designation of ecosystem functions, the preparation of the Basic KLM Plan, and the development of the RPPEM at both the national and regional levels.

MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026 is expected to achieve a balance between protecting the ecological functions of mangrove ecosystems and ensuring their sustainable utilization.

In addition, ministries/agencies, regional governments, and other relevant stakeholders should ensure that the preparation and establishment of the KLM and RPPEM are carried out in accordance with the applicable requirements, including fulfilling data requirements, conducting periodic evaluations, and synchronizing planning documents.

Compliance with MOE/ECA Regulation 8/2026 is expected to strengthen the governance of mangrove ecosystems while supporting sustainable coastal development.