Boosting Coastal Economy and Marine Conservation, PT Timah Builds Coral Gardens with Belinyu Residents

KARIMUNTODAY.COM, BANGKA — PT Timah Tbk continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the coastal community’s economy while preserving the marine ecosystem through its Coral Garden program in Belinyu District, Bangka Regency.

This program is not only an effort to conserve the marine environment but also a tangible step in empowering local communities.

The coral gardens, made from concrete materials, will be submerged in the waters around PT Timah’s operational areas. These artificial structures are expected to become new habitats for fish and other marine life. Their presence is believed to help increase marine populations, making it easier for fishermen to improve their daily catches.

Beyond being an environmental management initiative, this activity also brings economic benefits to the community. PT Timah involves local residents in the entire process from molding, casting, drying, to assembling the coral structures.

By directly engaging the community at every stage, this program creates temporary job opportunities and provides additional income, especially during difficult times or fishing off-seasons.

Hari, one of the residents involved in the program, shared the positive impact it has had on him.

“It takes about two weeks to make the coral gardens, from molding and casting to letting them dry completely before they’re ready to be assembled and submerged,” he said.

This program serves as a productive alternative for coastal residents who typically rely on favorable weather conditions for fishing. Through activities like this, they can continue working and earning an income while contributing to marine conservation.

“Alhamdulillah, it really helps. Usually, we only depend on our main job, but now we have extra income from making these coral gardens. It’s a big help for our daily needs,” Hari added.

Looking ahead, the benefits of this program are expected to have long-term impacts. The submerged coral gardens will create artificial ecosystems that support the growth of fish and squid populations, gradually increasing fishermen’s catches.

Through this initiative, PT Timah not only promotes environmental sustainability but also drives inclusive economic growth. Collaborating with the community is key to the program’s success and reflects the company’s spirit of growing together with the communities in its operational areas.(*)

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