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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rooting for mangroves as nature's climate heroes.
MORE mangroves and peat swamp forests will be legally protected during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period, from 2026 to 2030, as recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar. 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
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Indispensable mangroves are nature's resilient coastal guardians
LETTERS Mangroves are an important natural asset for the planet. Countries within the tropics, in particular, heavily depend on mangroves to ensure the safety and security of their lands, people, and properties. Mangroves are not just a group of trees shielding the coastlines and estuaries from the impacts of tropical storms and other oceanic extremes. They provide a home to a wide variety of living things. These range from as small as microbial organisms to large mammals on land, marine and the coastal transition realms. The diversity of plants and animals provides colours and symphonies to an otherwise gloomy and soggy habitat. The muddy and sandy mangrove soil, largely lacking in oxygen, catalyses the domination of select plants to call this setting home. Mangrove trees exhibit unique root structures to demonstrate what living in the mud should look like. Not only to stabilise themselves on the soft sediment, but the roots are also their breathing apparatus to absorb oxygen from the air for respiration and to sip in water and nutrients crucial for their growth. All of these are used to filter excessive salt from entering their bodies. Think of any other more hardworking tree than the mangroves — you can't hardly find any. The scented and colourful flowers of mangroves also attract birds and pollinators of all sorts. Bats, bees, plus migratory birds, too. They love a stopover in the mangroves for their survival and livelihood. Imagine the melodies, symphonies and harmonies of nature, with the chirping of birds, the buzzing insects, and the sea breeze — nothing beats the serenity of a rich and luxurious tropical mangrove forest. That's not all. During the day, mangrove plants spend a major portion of their energy absorbing light and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. And as they respire quickly due to constant exchange of tides, they pump carbon dioxide in faster than other plants on land. This makes mangroves one of the most productive ecosystems and the most prolific carbon sequesters in the world. Acknowledging these facts, scientists and policymakers around the world have foreseen mangroves' potential as an ally, an effective nature-based solution against climate change and biodiversity loss. With the upcoming tabling of the country's Climate Change Bill, it is timely for Malaysia to enshrine strict protection and rehabilitation of mangroves and other forested wetlands. As we celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems on July 26, impactful action such as this by Malaysia, as one of the largest mangrove-holding nations in the world, is highly anticipated. And, it is one of the best sustainability initiatives for humanity, our country and our planet, for now and in the future. DR A. ALDRIE AMIR Associate Professor, Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
