Faizal (standing, holding plant) and Normah (standing, left) with some participants of a tree-planting event at Pasir Panjang Laut mangrove in Manjung.
ABOUT 22,500 mangrove trees were planted in Kuala Gula, Kerian and Pasir Panjang Laut in Manjung, restoring some degraded mangrove areas in both locations.
The trees were planted over a three-year period in a venture between GEC and Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) called “Mangrove Conservation and Sustainable Livelihood Programme”.
A media release by the Global Environment Centre (GEC) said the programme involved local communities as GEC director Faizal Parish said their participation was crucial to address environmental issues at the grassroots level.
“Apart from involving locals, conservation activities also need to be complemented with options for sustainable livelihoods which can maintain the interest of the community.
“This programme provides a great platform for the communities to appreciate and protect their own mangrove ecosystem through good management initiatives.
“At the same time, it provides many opportunities to improve their livelihood,” he said during the closing ceremony of the programme in Manjung.
YSD governing council member Puan Sri Normah Hashim was encouraged to see the increased awareness of the importance of mangroves in climate adaptation.
“Mangroves can reduce the impact of the rising sea level on the communities living in the coastal areas of Pasir Panjang Laut and Kuala Gula.
“We are proud to have been able to support GEC in the project that has successfully been implemented with the passionate community-based organisations here.
“We aspire for this project to continue promoting local initiatives in producing mangrove forest products to help sustain the communities that depend on these forests,” she said.
