EASTERN and Oriental Bhd (E&O) is planting some 1,500 mangrove saplings at Sungai Acheh in Nibong Tebal, Penang, as part of a mangrove replacement planting project.
The effort is undertaken through its subsidiary Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd (TPD) in close partnership with the state Forestry Department and Penang Inshore Fisherman Welfare Association (PIFWA).
It is a proactive voluntary step by TPD due to the necessary removal of mangroves at the northern end of Gurney Drive, to make way for the 131 acres of land that E&O is reclaiming at its own cost for the Penang government.
The state had earlier announced that a public park, Gurney Wharf, is slated to be created on this reclaimed land.
“This voluntary mangrove replacement planting programme is being undertaken at our own initiative and cost.
“We are grateful to the Forestry Department for its input on the designated site at Sungai Acheh, and also to PIFWA in this combined effort for the regeneration of mangrove forests,” Chai said.
Present at the project’s recent unveiling ceremony at the Sungai Acheh Mangrove Education Centre was state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chariman Phee Boon Poh.
Phee said it was highly encouraging to see companies such as E&O playing an active role in the rejuvenation of the environment.
“Every step counts. This initiative reflects its long-term commitment to Penang and reinforces its position as a responsible developer and corporate citizen,” he added.
Chai said the replacement planting at Sungai Acheh was currently ongoing, while the removal process at the reclamation zone in the northern part of Gurney Drive would be carried out later, depending on the timing of final clearance from the authorities.
It is anticipated that the removal process will take two to three months in line with the prescribed timeline for such activities.
The ceremony was followed by a technical briefing session in George Town which was led by Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Mastura, director of the Institute of Climate Change at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
It covered the details of the programme, as well as the monito-ring of the replacement seedlings.
Also present were Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department’s Forest Plantation and Protection Division director Datuk Lim Kee Leng, state Forestry Department director Rusli Tahir, Penang Town and Country Planning Department director Mohd Anuar Maidin and Kuala Lumpur Department of Environment director Norlin Ja’afar.