Indonesian conservationist, 14, plants thousands of mangroves to help communities
14-year-old Indonesian conservationist Harley Fatahillah Yodhaloka Sunoto has been named a 2026 Eco-Hero for his 'Mangrove Warrior' initiative. The project has successfully planted over 31,000 mangroves to protect coastal communities from erosion and climate-related disasters.
Why it matters
The initiative demonstrates the impact of youth-led environmental activism in mitigating the effects of climate change on vulnerable coastal populations.
Over the past decade, Indonesia has lost an estimated 12.5 million hectares of forest. The decline has put the country under significant environmental pressure and contributed to increased coastal erosion, reduced biodiversity and heightened vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Observing the growing environmental challenges in the country, 14-year-old Harley Fatahillah Yodhaloka Sunoto began exploring ways to contribute solutions at the community level. According to a report by Action for Nature, he is the winner of the 2026 Eco-Hero title for founding a campaign centred on mangrove restoration and environmental education.Mangrove WarriorMangrove Warrior, was launched roughly one year ago with the goal of restoring coastal ecosystems while increasing climate awareness among the youth.
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