MANGROVE PLANTING FOR ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION
PRPC and PT2SB invest over rm500,000 in programme to advance ecotourism in pulau Tanjung surat.
TO conserve the environment for our future generations, Petronas Refinery and Petrochemicals Corporation Sdn Bhd (PRPC) and Pengerang Terminals (Two) Sdn Bhd (PT2SB) – the joint venture of Petronas, Dialog, Vopak and Permodalan Darul Takzim – recently launched a mangrove conservation programme in support of Johor’s efforts to develop Sungai Johor Estuary in Pulau Tanjung Surat as an ecotourism attraction.
In addition to the environment, this would also help boost the local economy by establishing the area as an ecotourism destination where visitors can learn more about mangroves as well as the conservation efforts that have been carried out.
The programme was launched by Kota Tinggi district officer Datin Paduka Hazlina Jalil in the presence of PRPC senior vice president and chief executive officer Kamal Bahrin Ahmad and PT2SB chief executive officer Aqeel Hussain.
PRPC and PT2SB have invested more than RM500,000 in the programme aimed at improving the livelihood of the Pulau Tanjung Surat local community through collaborative synergies and in partnership with Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (PSHBPTS).
“We are committed to create more sustainable economic opportunities for the communities in Johor through investments such as this, which are in line with Petronas’ sustainability agenda,” said Kamal.
The programme has generated income for at least 26 local villagers to date.
“We also expect this programme to positively impact the environment through reforestation, shoreline protection and the expansion of the mangrove ecosystem in Pulau Tanjung Surat,” Kamal added.
The programme started in December 2021 and is expected to run until 2023. As of June 2022, over 8,300 of the 21,000 planned mangrove trees have been planted in 2.2 hectares of identified mangrove degraded areas.
With 4,700 more trees planned for planting the rest of this year, the programme is expected to enrich local biodiversity, contribute to carbon sequestration and generate opportunities for ecotourism in the vicinity.
Volunteers from the Pengerang Integrated Complex are also committed to execute the programme alongside PSHBPTS – planting mangrove saplings and contributing their personal time to the sustainable effort.
Through PRPC’s #ForPengerang masterplan, several other programmes have been instrumental in the development of the local communities in Pengerang.
These include the establishment of six cooperatives – Kopeja, Kojaya, Kolepau, Kopetri, Koperang and Kobera – building entrepreneurs, skills and capabilities via the Local Upskilling and Vendor Development Programme, and advancement of the Livelihood Restoration Prorgramme via mussel and shrimp farming.