2,500 mangrove trees planted to protect coast

MUAR: A group of concerned Malaysians planted 2,500 mangrove trees to instil awareness about the importance of protecting coastal areas from erosion and other natural threats. Headed by Johor Special Branch chief SAC Datuk Ramli Hassan, the group took two days to plant saplings from two species of mangrove –bakau kurap and bakau minyak – at Tanjung Ketapang here. “We have seen how mangrove trees in several parts of the world played a major role in protecting lives during the 2004 tsunami.

A grove-y idea: SAC Ramli (left) and Baharuddin discussing the importance of mangrove trees to the environment in Muar yesterday.

“We now want the people to protect the coastal environment by planting mangrove trees,” he told reporters at the launch of a community policing programme here yesterday. Meanwhile, Johor Forestry Department senior ranger Baharu-ddin Bahran said mangrove trees protected the coastal swamps from erosion caused by strong tidal waves.

-thestar online.