Aceh’s Mangrove Forests Lose Migratory Birds

Researchers in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, observe a decline in migratory bird populations due to shrinking mangrove forests. The coastal areas of Banda Aceh lie on the East Asia-Australasian Flyway, a crucial route for many migratory birds. However, mangrove forests—vital stopover points for these birds—have diminished.

Data from the Banda Aceh Environmental Hygiene and Beautification Agency shows mangrove cover decreased by roughly 125 hectares between 2014 and 2025. The construction of a fish auction site in Lampulo around 2012 led to the disappearance of five bird species from the Kuta Alam mangrove ecosystem. Heri Tarmizi of the Environmental Study Group notes that without mangrove forests, birds will no longer rest in Banda Aceh, impacting the natural environment.

A 2024 observation identified 433 migratory shorebirds across several Banda Aceh coasts, with large sand plovers making up 183 individuals. Though the city government is planting new mangrove trees, about 10% of the existing area remains privately owned, complicating conservation efforts. The long-term ecological effects of this habitat loss remain under investigation.