in 2007, the indonesian forestry ministry established 2 centres for mangrove development. during 2010 and 2011, the centre on the island of bali planted 8,000 new mangrove trees, and the other centre, in the city of medan on the island of sumatra, put in 10,000 new plants. these efforts paled against the continual destruction of the coastal forests in the name of urban development, mainly for agricultural expansion. the realisation and urgency that we need to step up efforts in preserving the mangrove forests is what lead to the formation of the mangrove care forum bali.