By Alang Bendahara
SHAH ALAM, Dec 1 — A total of RM232,050 was spent this year on mangrove conservation and restoration in Selangor.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the funding came from both state and federal government allocations.
“A total of RM150,000 was allocated by the Selangor government through the State Development Budget.
“The federal government allocated RM82,050 through the Development Budget,” he said, responding to an oral question by Sijangkang assemblyman Ahmad Yunus Hairi during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Hee said the state used its allocation to implement several initiatives, which include planting two hectares of mangrove trees in the Pulau Tonggok Forest Reserve, the treatment of mangrove plants across two hectares in the Telok Gedong Forest Reserve, and the planting of mangrove trees across one hectare, and the treatment of existing mangroves across three hectares, in the Jugra Forest Reserve.
Other initiatives include the maintenance of 1.5 hectares of whistling pine tree (pokok rhu) plantation plots at the Kapar Tambahan Forest Reserve in Sungai Sembilang, and the procurement of mangrove species seedlings for cultivation purposes by the Selangor State Forestry Department.
While the allocation from the federal government has been used to implement the supply and planting of mangrove seedlings as well as other related works at the following locations:
The federal government’s allocation was similarly used to implement the supply and planting of mangrove seedlings, which includes one hectare each at the North Banjar Forest Reserve, the Kapar Forest Reserve, and the Kuala Bernam Forest Reserve.
The allocation will also be used for the treatment of mangrove across one hectare in the Telok Gedong Forest Reserve.
He also replied to Ahmad Yunus’ additional questions on conservation and restoration in critical areas along the coastline, and incentives for NGOs involved in the same line of work.
“The state government also collaborated not just with NGOs to plant mangrove trees in deteriorated areas along the coastline, but also with the local councils and district offices situated along the shores and rivers.
“This is why every year Selangor holds a campaign to plant trees throughout the state, including along the coasts involving mangrove trees,” Hee said.
