HUMAS FH-USU: On Thursday, 9 July 2026, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Malaysia, carried out a community engagement initiative aimed at mitigating the impacts of global climate change. The program was implemented in Beras Basah Village, Pangkalan Susu District, Langkat Regency. Dr. Vita Cita Emia Tarigan, S.H., LL.M., a lecturer from the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara, participated as a member of the USU team, strengthening the interdisciplinary nature of the initiative focused on improving coastal climate resilience.

Titled “Mangrove-Based Coastal Climate Resilience Strategies Through Remote Sensing in Hydrometeorological Disaster-Prone Areas of Pahang and North Sumatra,” the program focused on strengthening the capacity of coastal communities to adapt to climate change. Dr. Vita’s expertise in environmental law provided an important perspective in developing a community engagement approach that combined forestry science and technology with legal and governance considerations to support sustainable coastal management.

The USU team was led by Dr. Ir. Bejo Slamet, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM., with members Dr. Oding Affandi, S.Hut., M.P., Dr. Vita Cita Emia Tarigan, S.H., LL.M., and Hayatunnufus, S.Kom., M.Cs. Dr. Vita’s participation in this multidisciplinary team reflects the Faculty of Law’s commitment to contributing to strategic national and international issues, particularly in environmental protection and hydrometeorological disaster mitigation. Together with academic partners from UMPSA, the collaboration reaffirmed both universities’ commitment to developing research-based solutions for sustainable coastal management.

The initiative brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, security institutions, industry representatives, and local communities. Participating organizations included the Medan Social Forestry Center of the Ministry of Forestry, Forest Management Unit (KPH) Region I Stabat, Pangkalan Susu Police Sector, the Indonesian Navy’s Pangkalan Susu Naval Post under Naval Main Base I, PT Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu, the Pangkalan Susu District Administration, and the Beras Basah Village Government. Local Forest Farmer Groups (KTH), social forestry communities, and mangrove conservation groups also played an active role, further strengthening collaboration on the ground.

The Medan Social Forestry Center of the Ministry of Forestry expressed its appreciation for the initiative, noting that this international collaboration aligns with the government’s efforts to strengthen social forestry programs. The agency emphasized that enhancing community capacity and implementing technology-based mangrove management are essential for supporting informed decision-making related to climate risk.

Similarly, representatives of the Beras Basah Village Forest Farmer Group expressed their gratitude to the USU and UMPSA teams for providing guidance and technical assistance. The introduction of data-driven environmental information and monitoring systems has provided local communities with new tools to conserve coastal ecosystems while maximizing the economic potential of mangrove ecotourism.

During the innovation session, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mazlina binti Abdul Majid from UMPSA introduced the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) through the Mangrove Management System Monitoring platform to map flood-prone areas. She also introduced “Sekawan,” a digital platform designed to monitor environmental conditions, visitor numbers, and tourist feedback within the Beras Basah mangrove ecotourism area. The innovation is expected to accelerate the establishment of an effective early warning system for the village.

Meanwhile, the USU team highlighted the crucial role of remote sensing technology in disaster mitigation. Accurate data-driven information systems are essential for developing evidence-based policies and mitigation strategies in Beras Basah, an area highly vulnerable to extreme weather events. In this context, Dr. Vita’s expertise in environmental law is expected to provide valuable input in developing legal and policy frameworks that support the implementation of research outcomes in practice.

Through this multisectoral collaboration, USU and UMPSA hope that their scientific contributions will serve as a strong foundation for building long-term climate resilience. The program concluded with an interactive discussion followed by a symbolic mangrove planting ceremony involving all participants, including Dr. Vita Cita Emia Tarigan, as a shared commitment to preserving the environment for future generations.