Mangroves fast disappearing in Malaysia

R.S. Kamini, New Straits Times 26 Jun 09;

KLANG: The increase in commercial use and unsustainable logging have left the Telok Gedong Mangrove Forest Reserve bereft of certain mangrove species.
Despite dangers to human settlements posed by tsunami and constant flooding, the species known as Asiatic mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) has been disappearing fast due to its high commercial value.

Realising the environmental damage that could occur as a result of unsustainable logging, the Global Environment Centre has taken the initiative to rehabilitate the mangrove reserve by replanting 3,000 Asiatic mangrove trees to replace the ones that were harvested for commercial use.

GEC's Forest and Wetland Conservation Programme coordinator Suzana Mohkeri said the tree-planting was extremely crucial to protect the coastal area from unsustainable logging.

She said the Telok Gedong area was wiped clean of the particular mangrove species (Asiatic mangrove) for commercial use, leaving the area with just one of two types of tree species.
Besides its medicinal properties, the Asiatic mangrove is commercially popular as its parts can be used to make construction materials, including house frames, pilings and poles, light wine, tannins, hair dye, paper and rayon productions.

"When a species is singled out, it dominates the area and projects low biodiversity. Replanting the Asiatic mangrove enriches the biodiversity and retention power in the area," she said.

Guided by the Forestry Department, GEC has set out on a mangrove rehabilitation programme which is part of its coastal greenbelt initiative after the 2004 tsunami disaster.

Mangrove reserves act as a natural buffer for tsunamis and heavy storm besides enhancing fisheries and the natural vegetation process.

"Some trees act as mudtraps, others stabilise the soil so you need a diversified range of species in one mangrove reserve," she said.

The tree-planting event was officiated by Iris Corporation Berhad chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail and was attended by more than 200 people including college students and villagers from the area.

Iris Corporation and United Kingdom-based Plant A Tree Today Foundation had sponsored 1,000 trees each.