Building Community-based Mangrove Conservation, Protection and Resilience to address Climate Change in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Mangrove ecosystems are one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. Unfortunately, mangroves in Malaysia have been significantly degraded over the past 60 years with over exploitation and degradation of mangrove areas putting the local coastal communities at high risk of losing their source of livelihood and protection against coastal disasters.

Continued from the previous Community-based Mangrove Conservation and Protection and Sustainable Livelihood Programmes, a new collaboration has been formed between Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and GEC to replicate and reinforce the project implementation spanning over four (4) different states (Johor, Kedah, Perak and Selangor) with the involvement of six (6) local community groups.

This project aims to address the mangrove degradation issues, reduce the effects of coastal erosion and deal with the issues of rising sea levels due to climate change at local level.

Community Groups:

• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kuala Gula (SHBKG) in Perak
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pasir Panjang Laut (SHBPPL) in Perak
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (SHBPTS) in Johor
• Kelab Komuniti Bakau Parit Kassim (Parit Kassim) in Johor
• Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kampung Dato’ Hormat (SHBKDH) in Selangor
• Komuniti Bakau Kampung Taman Nilam (Taman Nilam) in Kedah.

Objectives:

• Reinforce sustainable management of mangrove and coastal resources at all project sites and strengthen the institutional capacity of project community groups;
• Mainstream community participation in the rehabilitation and protection of the degraded mangrove areas, monitor the impact of planted trees for forest biomass and carbon and natural forest regeneration at all project sites;
• Develop mangrove-based beverage products including production, packaging, marketing and sales of products while providing related training to all project community groups; and
• Promote an integrated climate change adaptation with public participation for local mangrove conservation and protection.

Key Activities:

• Develop a strong networking and systematic working approach among the project community groups and related government agencies, partners and experts.
• Empower the community through entrepreneurship opportunity and enhancement of community socioeconomic value.
• Develop promotional materials and organise mangrove awareness programmes.
• Enhance the communities’ ability, knowledge and skills through direct involvement in the rehabilitation and protection of the degraded mangrove areas, including:
  • Nursery enhancement and management;
  • Mangrove planting activities at six project sites;
  • Patrolling and monitoring of any illegal activities at the project sites; and
  • Maintenance and monitoring of the 50,000 planted trees and clearing debris at all project sites (planted area).