More mangrove trees planted to battle climate change

Council workers planting mangrove saplings along the river near Pantai Malindo in Balik Pulau.

MANGROVE trees are now growing along riverbanks in Pantai Malindo in Balik Pulau, Penang, to provide coastal and environment protection.

Besides providing more greenery to fight climate change, the trees will also serve as a biodiversity hotspot and habitat for fish, shellfish and migratory birds.

Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, who headed a team from the council to plant the trees, said it would be an annual effort that would grow in the coming years.

“This year, we are planting 2,022 trees. We will continue to plant more in the future to help climate adaptation,” he said.

The trees were sponsored by Penang State Forestry Department, Penang Environmental Sustainability Foundation and Malaysian Association of Hoteliers.

Penang housing, local government, and town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the state aimed to plant 500,000 trees in total under its Green Agenda.

“So far, we have planted about 320,000 trees in the state to help create a fresh natural environment.

“We intend to raise awareness that preserving the environment is the responsibility of all parties,” he said, adding that the climate change that was happening globally had led to rising temperatures and water levels.

“Continuous planting of trees will allow us to reduce carbon levels and protect the environment,” he said.

Also at the tree planting event was Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail. — By LO TERN CHERN