Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung – Some residents of coastal settlements in East Lampung and Tanggamus regencies say they are at risk from huge waves due to erosion.

Coastal erosion is also evident near Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, causing pine trees and rocks to collapse on the volcano's western slope.

In East Lampung, erosion has affected Pasir Sakti, Sragi and Maringgai districts. Mangrove forests are dwindling rapidly due to their uncontrolled conversion into traditional shrimp and fish farms.

In Labuhan Ratu village, East Lampung, abrasion has shortened the distance between coastal settlements to less than 100 meters. Scores of homes were swept away by waves during extreme weather in October.

Surahman, 45, a Pasir Sakti resident, said coastal erosion was not severe when mangrove trees shielded the land from the pounding surf. According to Surahman, indiscriminate felling of trees has left the land exposed to the waves and wind.

Marwinto, a resident of Muara Belukang, said he was worried about huge waves at night. "We are gripped with fear almost every night. We have reported this to the East Lampung regency administration, but have had no response yet," he said.

Coastal erosion and sedimentation has become a serious threat to infrastructure in Tanggamus, especially to roads, bridges, residential areas, ports and other facilities.

Erosion has caused several stretches of road to collapse, including the provincial road connecting Kotaagung, Limau and Cukuhbalak, better known as the Bay Semaka coastal highway.

Erosion on this stretch of road began at the Kotaagung Religious Office in Pekon Sukabanjar. At the stretch of gradient near Batubalai hamlet, Pekon Sukabanjar, Kotaagung district, half the road has collapsed and was hanging on the edge of a deep ravine immediately facing Bay Semaka Bay.

According to a report from the Lampung chapter Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), 70 percent of mangrove swamps in Lampung, which holds 160 hectares of mangrove forest, have been damaged due to shrimp farms. Of a total 160,000 hectares of mangrove forests, 136,000 have been damaged, Walhi said.

"Mangrove forests have lost to the shrimp industry, a huge section of which are believed to be exploited by two large-scale hatcheries," Lampung Walhi director Hendrawan said.

The Lampung provincial administration estimated that US$220 million would be needed to restore the damaged mangrove forests.