Volunteers planting corals near Pulau Aur, along Mersing coastline.
SOME 50 corals have been planted near Pulau Aur, which is about 76km from Mersing coastline in Johor.
The effort will help to ensure marine sustainability in the surrounding areas.
The project was part of JCorp Foundation’s inaugural coral reef rehabilitation programme involving 40 employees at the island last month.
Among the JCorp companies involved were Kulim Bhd, KPJ Healthcare Bhd, QSR Brands Holdings Bhd, JLand Group Sdn Bhd and Damansara Holdings Bhd.
Through this programme, JCorp Foundation set up a coral nursery involving ethical care and breeding of coral reef species.
The programme aims to raise awareness and provide education to the local community about the importance of coral reef towards marine resources conservation.
JCorp Foundation head Zaidatul Zurita Abdul Rahman said these initiatives sought to increase public awareness of the need to protect and conserve the environment, including marine life.
“Yayasan JCorp has implemented several programmes related to environmental sustainability this year, such as mangrove tree planting in Tanjung Piai and river cleaning in Kampung Sungai Melayu and Kampung Pendas near Iskandar Puteri.
“This coral rehabilitation is the third activity organised by Yayasan JCorp this year,” she added.
Zaidatul said the programme was in line with the state government’s effort to safeguard coral reef habitats in the Johor marine park waters, ensuring the corals would not go extinct.
She said the programme was also to enhance the tourism appeal of the Mersing islands.
“Yayasan JCorp also took the opportunity to organise community activities with the residents on Pulau Aur,” she said.
Among the activities organised were a beach clean-up, communal cooking event, and cash donations to 38 families living on the island, she added.
