NIBONG TEBAL – The Environment and Water Ministry is targeting to plant one million mangrove trees nationwide by 2030 in an effort to protect and conserve mangrove forests as well as the environment.
Its deputy minister Datuk Mansor Othman said so far about 300,000 of the trees had been planted nationwide through the effort which started last year.
“The ministry is intensifying efforts to plant mangrove trees in coastal areas across the country especially those that are prone to erosion as (mangrove forests) have an important role balancing coastal ecosystems.
“Mangrove trees do not only protect the coastal areas from erosion but also provide breeding habitats for fish, crab and shrimp species which can help increase local fish stocks,” he told reporters today.
He was met after the launch of a programme to plant mangrove trees in conjunction with World Environment Day 2022, organised by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation and Kelab Belia Prihatin Malaysia at the Sg Acheh Mangrove Forest Education Centre, here.
Mansor, who is also Nibong Tebal MP, said apart from the tree-planting initiative, programmes such as campaigns would also be held to raise public awareness of environmental care.
He said it was in line with the ministry’s aspirations to empower environmental sustainability efforts, especially among the younger generation.
“I would like to thank Kelab Belia Prihatin for their efforts in making the programme a success,” he said.
According to him, a total of 180,000 mangrove trees had been planted in the Sg Acheh Mangrove Forest Education Centre area over the past 20 years by various parties including the fishing community there. – Bernama, June 4, 2022
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