Builders of Malaysia’s mega railway project join hands to rehabilitate mangrove forest

23/08/2024 CEN_net BRI, BRICS, & Global South~, Environment, Biodiversity & Pollution~, Main~, Science, Technology, Heritage & Architecture~ 0

Chinese and Malaysian companies building Malaysia’s mega rail project have planted mangrove tree saplings in a mangrove forest near Malaysia’s Port Klang, a move to strengthen the values of protecting the environment.

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a 665 km-long railway project being developed by the state-owned Malaysia Rail Link (MRLSB), which is in a 50:50 joint venture with the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

The new railway line will connect the states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang along the east coast with the Klang Valley on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

More than 70 volunteers from the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Project participated in the mangrove restoration programme at Mangrove Point near the Klang River mouth recently. Equipped with cleaning tools and equipment, the volunteers spent about three hours picking up garbage that consisted mainly of water bottles, aluminium cans, plastic waste and metal objects.

The volunteers then participated in the replanting of mangroves as well as river educational trip on water quality monitoring systems along the Klang River. Some 100 saplings of Rhizophora Apiculata (Bakau Minyak) and Rhizophora Mucronata (Bakau Kurap) trees were successfully planted by the Project volunteers within the 70-acre Selangor state land and Hutan Simpan Kekal.

Mangroves, provide sanctuary for various wildlife, but also play a key role in reducing coastal erosion, storms and flooding and are one of the most cost-effective methods of managing disaster risks along coastlines.

The mangrove restoration programme is part of Malaysia Rail Link’s social and environmental responsibility, which recognizes all critical efforts to protect the environment and mitigate the destruction of ecosystems caused by various human activities.

“The mangrove restoration programme reflects our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the mangrove ecosystem as well as enhance the management of new mangrove sapling growth that will contribute towards a sustainable environment for future generations,” said MRL’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak.

Dato’ Sri Darwis noted initiative complements the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) and the Selangor State Forestry Department’s efforts to enhance a distinctive mangrove ecosystem within a biophilic environment that will among others facilitate Mangrove Point to serve as a new destination for eco-tourism.

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