Participants planting mangrove saplings.
OVER 100 volunteers, comprising mainly youths, took part in a sapling planting programme at Mangrove Point in Port Klang, Selangor.
A total of 300 mangrove saplings were planted at the launch of the Amanah Lestari Alam (Alam) Be-Leaf 2024 programme.
The programme is aimed at mobilising youth volunteerism and participation in environmental conservation.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the government had undertaken large-scale mangrove tree planting, which had shown positive results.
Mangrove planting event and launch of ALAM Be-Leaf Programme 2024. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
“We have planted over 3,500ha of coastal areas with mangrove and other forest species.
“Almost eight million mangrove trees have been planted,” he said at the launch.
Nik Nazmi said that up to May this year, 86.5 million trees, involving 1,823 species, were planted throughout the country as part of the 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign which was launched in 2021.
“Our priority is to not harm. We want to preserve existing forest areas, and if (development is) unavoidable, we have to resort to replanting,” he said.
Alam was recently appointed by Youth and Sports Ministry as the implementing partner for the Rakan Muda 2024 programme under the Rakan Bumi lifestyle.
Alam chairman Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir said the appointment was an incredible honour and an opportunity for them to encourage more youth to participate in environmental initiatives.
“We hope that the Alam Be-Leaf programme will breed a new generation of eco-champions for a more impactful outcome,” he said.
The programme saw participation from Rakan Muda, Selangor Youth Department, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, Selangor Forestry Department, Selangor Maritime Gateway, Yayasan Hijau Malaysia, YouthCare Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
As part of Alam Be-Leaf 2024, several key locations were also been identified for upcoming activities across Malaysia.
The next event would be mangrove planting in Merbok, Kedah, in collaboration with the Kedah Forestry Department.
This will be followed by Setiu Wetlands in Terengganu, with support from the Terengganu State Parks Management Council.
The final location for the year is Tanjung Piai in Johor, in partnership with Johor National Parks.
