PADDLE FOR NATURE’S main focus might be marine conservation, but there is a strong link between the health of the ocean and what happens on land. With this in mind, the 2014-2015 MNS kayak expedition worked hand-in-hand with the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia to plant 5,000 trees during its six-month journey along the coastline.
The planting of casuarina and mangrove saplings in five locations started on 2nd October 2014 in Pahang, where the Paddle for Nature crew broke off kayaking to beach up in Sungai Ular, Cherating. There Pahang Forestry Department’s Edevaldo J. Yapp, Deputy Director of the East Pahang Silviculture Division, led the planting, explaining that casuarina trees helped mitigate damage to the coastline from strong winds and huge waves, protect nearby residences and infrastructure and, in time, would create welcome spots for recreation.
At the end of December, Paddle for Nature stopped in Pontian to plant more casuarina, under the Johor Forestry Department’s response to the devastating tsunami of 2004. Forest Rehabilitation Assistant in the Silviculture and Forest Protection division, Ahmad Aizuddin Hashim, said coastal trees could lessen the impact of such wave formations, and since 2005 the department had planted trees in some 300ha of land. The exercise also saw the participation of staff from KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital and Western Digital.
Further up the coast, along vast stretches of mudflats interspersed with sandy beaches that make up the West Coast all the way to Perlis, February 2015 saw Paddle for Nature dropping by to plant mangroves at the Selangor Forestry Department’s ongoing plot in Sungai Hj Dorani, Sabak Bernam and the Perak Forestry Department’s eco-education centre in Larut Matang.
Finally, two days before hitting its final destination in Kuah, Paddle for Nature completed the five planned sessions by planting mangrove saplings at Pasir Tengkorak on the northern side of Langkawi island, under the Kedah Forestry Department. Also present was Hj Suhaili Rosli, Senior Assistant Director, Coastal Conservation Section, Forest Protection Division, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, as well as MNS President Henry Goh, both of whom were not shy to get stuck in, mud up to their thighs, to show everyone how it’s done.
The planting of casuarina and mangrove saplings in five locations started on 2nd October 2014 in Pahang, where the Paddle for Nature crew broke off kayaking to beach up in Sungai Ular, Cherating. There Pahang Forestry Department’s Edevaldo J. Yapp, Deputy Director of the East Pahang Silviculture Division, led the planting, explaining that casuarina trees helped mitigate damage to the coastline from strong winds and huge waves, protect nearby residences and infrastructure and, in time, would create welcome spots for recreation.
At the end of December, Paddle for Nature stopped in Pontian to plant more casuarina, under the Johor Forestry Department’s response to the devastating tsunami of 2004. Forest Rehabilitation Assistant in the Silviculture and Forest Protection division, Ahmad Aizuddin Hashim, said coastal trees could lessen the impact of such wave formations, and since 2005 the department had planted trees in some 300ha of land. The exercise also saw the participation of staff from KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital and Western Digital.
Further up the coast, along vast stretches of mudflats interspersed with sandy beaches that make up the West Coast all the way to Perlis, February 2015 saw Paddle for Nature dropping by to plant mangroves at the Selangor Forestry Department’s ongoing plot in Sungai Hj Dorani, Sabak Bernam and the Perak Forestry Department’s eco-education centre in Larut Matang.
Finally, two days before hitting its final destination in Kuah, Paddle for Nature completed the five planned sessions by planting mangrove saplings at Pasir Tengkorak on the northern side of Langkawi island, under the Kedah Forestry Department. Also present was Hj Suhaili Rosli, Senior Assistant Director, Coastal Conservation Section, Forest Protection Division, Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia, as well as MNS President Henry Goh, both of whom were not shy to get stuck in, mud up to their thighs, to show everyone how it’s done.