Houses in Serdeng and Paloh are located in swampy areas suitable for mangrove tree planting.
FOR 80-year-old fisherman Busrah Dolah, the term “blue carbon” meant nothing – until a recent community briefing turned his world around.
At a two-hour session hosted by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) in Serdeng, Daro, nearly 100 locals gathered to learn about a climate initiative few had heard of.
Among them was Busrah, who walked away not just informed, but inspired.
“I’m illiterate, so I never knew anything about blue carbon,” he said.
But now, having listened to the briefing, he understands the basics – and sees its potential for his village.
With a lifetime spent fishing and a modest monthly income of around RM700, Busrah views the initiative as a possible game changer.
He’s especially keen on planting mangrove trees in his village’s peat swamp areas – a move that promises both environmental restoration and income generation.
Busrah said he fully supports the blue carbon project due to its immense benefits.
“This is something I never imagined could happen here. If my land can be included, I might finally be able to make better use of it,” he said, adding that his family’s inherited land has remained idle for years.
“We used to grow padi and vegetables, but the water never goes away now. Maybe this is the answer we’ve been waiting for.”
Also enthusiastic is Serdeng’s ketua kaum (village head), Hajijah Deni, 63.
A former headmistress, Hajijah expressed pride and optimism after learning about the initiative for the first time.
“I’m really happy this is happening in our village.
“We’ve waited so long for something like this,” she said.
Hajijah sees the blue carbon project as a lifeline for a community where development has stagnated in recent years.
Serdeng residents with STIDC and WCS officers at the briefing.
“Our young people need jobs, and this initiative could provide that.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity – not just to protect the environment, but to secure livelihoods,” she said.
Her village of 300 people includes farmers, fishermen and civil servants.
She believes mangrove restoration can stabilise the fragile peat swamp ecosystem, which is subject to rapid tidal changes.
“Mangroves are strong. They don’t fall easily.
“I think they can help us manage flooding and improve our fisheries,” she added, hopeful that cleaner rivers and richer marine life will follow.
Now, both Busrah and Hajijah look to the future with renewed hope, welcoming the blue carbon initiative as a potential turning point for their community.
Sarawak is moving ahead with its ambitious blue carbon initiative, which brings together government bodies, researchers, NGOs and local communities to support conservation efforts across the Paloh-Tanjung Manis-Belawai corridor.
The initiative is spearheaded by Worldview Climate Solutions (WCS), a company registered under the Worldview International Foundation (WIF), a non-profit organisation committed to climate action.
Irhasman (left) and Endela providing an insight into the project to residents of Serdeng.
WCS, established in Malaysia, specialises in blue carbon projects and currently manages a successful mangrove restoration site in Myanmar.
The Sarawak project covers about 10,230ha across Tanjung Manis-Belawai. This state-owned land is managed by STIDC under the Carbon Stock Enhancement Project, aimed at reviving areas degraded by decades of logging through targeted mangrove restoration.
By planting mangroves, WCS earns carbon credits, which are then sold to companies seeking to offset their emissions.
“The more mangroves we plant, the more carbon we can remove from the air. That’s the core of the carbon credit system,” said Brigette Philip, WCS’s livelihood manager.
“Carbon credits reward actions that reduce global warming. When we plant mangroves and lower carbon emissions, we earn credits. Companies that exceed their emission limits can buy these credits to offset their impact.”
Beyond ecological restoration, the project aims to boost biodiversity and lift local livelihoods.
WIF divides its net income evenly – half goes back to the local community to support sustainable development.
A memorandum of agreement between STIDC and WCS was signed on Dec 28, 2023, setting the project in motion.
STIDC assistant general manager for sustainable resources management, Hamzah Morshdi, emphasised the importance of involving local communities in Serdeng and Paloh – areas that rely heavily on agriculture and fishing but have suffered from logging and encroachment.
“The blue carbon project aims to restore the ecosystem, bring back wildlife like dolphins and turtles, and create opportunities in ecotourism and sustainable fisheries,” he said.
“This isn’t just about conservation. It’s about long-term benefits.
“Tourism built around fisheries, for example, could become a new source of income.”
Planting will begin once a carbon licence is issued by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), with tangible results expected by 2028 or 2029.
One of the key benefits of mangrove planting is climate regulation.
Mangroves are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide up to five times more effectively than many other plant species, including acacia.
“This makes them incredibly efficient in tackling climate change,” said STIDC project planning and development manager Irhasman Inggal.
But the benefits don’t stop there.
Mangroves also help protect coastlines from erosion, act as natural water filters and provide crucial habitats for marine life – all of which feed back into improved livelihoods for local communities.
As the project progresses, job opportunities will open up.
WCS expects to employ locals for tasks such as site clearing, planting and collecting mangrove propagules – with a daily wage of RM110.
WCS project manager Endela Tipot stressed that community engagement is vital to the success of the 40-year initiative.
“One of our next steps is to identify suitable planting sites and ensure all procedures and SOPs are followed,” she said.
Training on mangrove planting techniques, seedling selection and site maintenance will be provided.
WIF also offers free online courses with certification in mangrove ecology and restoration.
Fishermen with outboard engines can supplement their income by renting their boats to WCS for RM150 to RM350 per day.
WCS also plans to include women in training and capacity-building programmes to raise awareness about blue carbon and related opportunities.
Maintaining international standards is a key concern. To ensure the credibility of carbon credits, WCS must plant at least 2,500 trees per hectare and achieve a survival rate of at least 95%.
“This is essential for calculating carbon offsets and ensuring the credits are recognised globally,” said Endela.
“It’s not just about planting. We must nurture these mangroves, and that requires community commitment.”
As Sarawak takes bold steps into the blue carbon future, communities like Serdeng and Paloh are being transformed – from stewards of tradition to partners in climate resilience.
For villagers like Busrah and Hajijah, it’s not just about carbon credits. It’s about hope, dignity and a sustainable future worth fighting for.
With collaboration between agencies, NGOs and villagers, this project may yet become a blueprint for sustainable development – in Sarawak and beyond.
