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New Straits Times
6 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
BBC News
18-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
First outdoor steps for West Midlands Safari Park endangered cubs
A set of critically endangered tiger cub triplets born at a wildlife park have taken their first steps outdoors, after developing "with no concerns".The three Sumatran tiger cubs, who arrived at West Midlands Safari Park on 17 January, were outside following a first health check that confirmed there are two girls and a keepers know the sex of them, they have selected the name Nova, meaning new star, for one girl, while the public will choose the other cubs' names. They were weighed and given first vaccinations, ready to follow 13-year-old mother Dourga outdoors at the Bewdley attraction. On Monday, when the door opened to the outside area, Dourga did a check to make sure it was safe, "then returned to the cubs, 'chuffing' at them to encourage them to follow her", the park said.A chuff "is a low, soft noise which tigers use as a friendly greeting, or in this case, to comfort cubs".The male took the first steps outside, followed by the sisters who "seemed delighted to see big sister, Lestari, who is almost two, watching them curiously from the other side of the fence". Veterinary nurse Sarah Smith said: "The cubs have been showing their own characters recently and we really saw their feisty side during their examinations."We were thrilled to discover that we have two females and one male, and loved watching them venture outside." Veterinary surgeon Lindsey Baines said the park was delighted it had three healthy tiger cubs. "The vet team have been monitoring their development carefully since they were born through the CCTV to ensure there were no issues."Their first health checks and vaccinations all went swimmingly, and they are developing as we would expect with no concerns." The park estimated there may only be about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the Sumatran tigers at the park are part of a collaboration between European zoos, aiming to conserve endangered species. The site also partners with conservation organisation WildCats Conservation Alliance, and donates to the Kerinci Seblat Tiger Protection Project, which operates tiger protection and conservation units in a 12-week health check, Dourga and the cubs will be able to go into the wider Tiger Tropics area, where Lestari and dad Nakal are currently seen. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
