8th International Symposium on Lowland Technology September 11-13, 2012 in Bali, Indonesia THE MANGROVE CONSERVATION APPROACHED FROM PEOPLE SIDES IN LAGOON OF SEGARA ANAKAN Priana Sudjono 1 and Zia Perdana 2 ABSTRACT: The area of mangrove forest in lagoon of Segara Anakan in Java Island decreases since the last century. Moreover, soil particles brought by rivers mounted in the lagoon extremely disturbs the existence of mangrove in the area. Additionally, conversion of mangrove forest to brackish fish ponds significantly reduces the area. The research was trying to investigate, using qualitative method, the idea of people living in the vicinity of the mangrove forest for their response to conservation efforts. Investigation on their attitude and expectation to mangrove was conducted through interview, and small focused group discussion. The investigation was systematized into profession, social dynamics, activity and general aspect of life. The results indicate that local people have interest to conserve the mangrove and their knowledge to sustain the existence of commercial aquatic mangrove is significant. Additionally, their willingness to participate in the conservation activities is quite significant. Hypothesis drawn from those facts is that to conserve mangrove in the lagoon, the ideas of the local government service personnel and local people need to be integrated in the form of cooperation. The efforts on conservation of mangrove forest still allow people to take advantages from ecological and economic values of the mangrove. Keywords: mangrove, conservation, qualitative method, brackish fish pond. 1 Dept.of Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia 40132 2 Dept.of Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia 40132 INTRODUCTION Segara Anakan is a lagoon at the south part of middle Java Island. As it is situated between Java island and a small island Nusakambangan, the lagoon is a perfect place for fish to breed. Even rare species of fish such as Arius maculatus, Mugil buchanani, Polynemus from Indian Ocean migrate to the lagoon to breed during winter time. Moreover, some species of birds regularly migrated to the area. Mangrove species commonly found in the area are Rhizopora sp., Bruguiera sp., and Avicinea sp. At the current time the mangrove at the Lagoon is in very severe conditions mainly because land-conversion, and sedimentation. A method to conserve and restore the mangrove was studied through investigation of people mind and attitude. Some reports mentioned that sedimentation in Segara Anakan took place since 1903 at the time when people started to cut mangrove trees for timbers and converting the area to agriculture and brackish fish ponds. Moreover, sedimentation was intensive after Galunggung volcano erupted in 1982. The particles were flushed down during rainfall to river systems. Moreover, forest clearing at the upstream region was uncontrolled leading to surface soil erosion that the eroded materials are conveyed down by river systems. The estimated sediment brought by Citandui River to the lagoon is 740.000 m 3 and Cikonde River is 260.000 m 3 . As a result, lands emerged as small islands in the lagoon. The area of the lagoon was about 6.480 ha in the year 1900 and it became 600 ha in the year 2004 (Ciamis District, 2006). As the lagoon turned to land, the life cycle of the flora and fauna changed dramatically giving negative impacts to the area. Conversion of the lagoon to brackish fish ponds had been taken place more than half century, and the rapid unauthorized conversion started at 1995. Some fish ponds are left unproductive as the squatters have not enough skill and knowledge to breed fish. Moreover, new lands or emerging lands in the lagoon have been used as agriculture area and the owner stay in the area. The conversion of mangrove habitat and sedimentation eliminate the function of mangrove forest as a breeding ground for several aquatic life especially fish. Moreover, the agriculture activity uses pesticide that harms aquatic life although the concentration is low. As a consequence, the fish production drop drastically or the people earn less income. It is clear that the main problem of the Segara Anakan lagoon is sedimentation and conversion of mangrove forest to brackish fish pond. Additionally, the new emerged lands then are used as agriculture area and the owners stay in the area making a small community. The paper focuses on how to conserve mangrove from people side. It means that investigation will be on their ideas to conserve their environment.