THE Penang government has approved a total of 676.48ha of sea swamp forest to be gazetted as a permanent reserve forest.
State Environment and Welfare Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state executive council had in a meeting on Oct 5 agreed to it.
He said the approved size of the sea swamp forest was only part of the 38 locations within the government and agency-owned lands with an area of 1,619.22ha (digital area), which has been identified as a suitable site to be gazetted as a permanent reserve forest.
“The next step is for us (Environment Committee) to do the necessary to ensure more sea swamp forest can be gazetted.
“In fact, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) has chosen Penang to implement the Malaysia Forest Conservation Certification Protocol (MFCC) pilot project.
“This project is important as one of the mitigation efforts towards climate change,” he said during the wetland restoration programme with the Penang Green Council (PGC) at Nelayan Changkat Jetty in Nibong Tebal today.
Phee said the state has consistently been planting mangrove trees since 2005.
“From 2005 till September this year, a total of 255,511 species of mangrove trees have been planted.
“The planting of mangrove trees is important for the environment because of climate change,” he said.
Phee added that 1,000 mangrove trees would be planted later.
“PGC has been an instrumental role in working with the state for a sustainable environment,” he said.
PGC general manager Josephine Tan, who was present, emphasised the importance of mangrove trees.
“Through our effort, a total of 1,000 mangrove trees will be planted with the help of the Forestry Department.
“We are grateful and honoured to be involved in this restoration effort,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of Penang Green Council