<![CDATA[Mangrove degradation is an environmental issue that has a significant impact on the sustainability of coastal areas. Rupat Island, as a coastal region in Riau Province, is experiencing pressure on its mangrove ecosystem due to land use change and weak regulatory control over spatial utilization. This study aims to analyze the degradation of mangrove land on Rupat Island from the perspective of spatial law, emphasizing the alignment between normative regulations and the practical utilization of space at the regional level. The research employs a normative-empirical approach through a review of legislation in spatial planning and forestry, supported by field observations and interviews. The study reveals that the primary issue of mangrove degradation on Rupat Island is not caused by a lack of legal framework, but rather by the failure in the implementation of spatial law, which is reflected in weak supervision, inconsistent application of sanctions, and the lack of synchronization between spatial plans and actual land use practices. Additionally, the research finds that spatial law has not effectively functioned as an instrument for controlling spatial utilization because it is more administratively oriented rather than preventive or repressive against environmental violations. This study contributes by affirming the position of spatial law as a determining factor in mangrove degradation in coastal areas and implies the need for strengthening the enforcement of spatial law through consistent oversight, the imposition of strict sanctions, and the harmonization of central and local policies as prerequisites for sustainable mangrove protection..]]>
