Rooting for mangroves as nature's climate heroes.
In the same tabling of the five-year national development plan, efforts to protect and restore mangroves, coral reefs and other wetlands were also highlighted as key nature-based solutions to climate and environmental solutions.
To ensure effective mangrove restoration, Malaysia must first develop a comprehensive plan, beginning with the identification and assessment of disturbed and degraded mangroves.
An initial assessment of all gazetted mangrove areas, some of which were designated over a century ago, should be carried out at the onset to prioritise further action.
Are these mangrove forest reserves still forested?
Have the forested areas expanded?
Can they withstand sea level rise and other climatic and oceanic hazards?
These are questions that must be answered.
In addition, requests to encroach and exploit intact mangroves should be permanently disallowed.
The enforcement of the laws must not be neglected.
According to the document, new gazetting of mangrove forests — either as a forest reserve or a state park, marine reserve or a marine park is encouraged.
Additionally, listing these areas under international conservation programmes is encouraged.
All 'planting' programmes — or new mangrove planting initiatives either by the government agencies, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations or communities — must be revamped and replaced with a proper understanding of habitat restoration, as envisioned in the 13MP.
Restoration efforts should not end there.
Monitoring and surveys must be conducted regularly, with data properly recorded.
This is essential to justify the time, energy and financial investments made from planning through to execution.
Assessments are crucial not only to verify and report gains or losses, but also to ensure integrity and credibility, especially if the project involves carbon credit or other financial mechanisms.
Overall, this is an excellent move by the government in recognising the importance of protecting and conserving mangroves and other wetlands as nature-based solutions to address the environmental, climate and sustainability challenges facing the country.
I hope that this vision is supported by sound scientific approaches and methodologies.
DR A. ALDRIE AMIR
Associate professor
Institute for Environment and Development (Lestari)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia;
Coordinator
Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network
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