Malaysia: World’s first wired mangroves launched

ALIZA SHAH New Straits Times 28 Oct 15;

KUALA LUMPUR : Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak today launched the world’s first "Connected Mangroves" initiative.

The project would enable mangrove plantation areas to be monitored in real-time through sensors which would be planted around the mangrove saplings.

Salleh said the system could provide critical information such as soil and weather conditions, fire and water levels, has the potential to be expended to other areas.

"As it provides crucial information in real time it will allow local authorities or national governments to use the information for early warning systems such as for flooding, tsunamis and even plantation burning so that they can respond in a clearer manner," he said.

Information compiled through the sensors will be sent directly to a cloud system which stakeholders - including the farmers, analysts, NGOs and local authorities can access.

The project by Ericsson Malaysia, with partners Global Environment Centre and Luimewah (M) Sdn Bhd, was launched in Sabak Bernam, Selangor and is expected to rehabilitate up to 10,000 mangrove seedlings by 2020.