SETIU: It started as a conservation project for the people and now it will be run by the people.

Petra Perdana, an oil and gas service provider, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) handed over a mangrove regeneration project to its participants on Tuesday.

The project here began two years ago and involves residents of Kampung Gong Batu, Kampung Fikri and Kampung Saujana.

A 3ha area was replanted with the mangrove species, Rhizophora apiculata, or bakau minyak.

The project is funded by Petra and supervised by the UNDP with technical support from Universiti Malaysia Te-rengganu.
Petra chief executive officer Tengku Ibrahim Petra Tengku Indra Petra said he was glad the project received the support of the community.

It raised awareness among students about the ecosystem and eco-tourism, he added.

"We are pleased at how this project was transformed from an environmental project into a socio-economic venture that will not only enrich the mangrove ecosystem but also bring economic benefits.

"We are confident that the community will continue to develop this project and reap its benefits."

Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said and Batu Rakit assemblyman Khazan Che Mat.

Ahmad said the state government would continue to support the programme and hoped to extend it to Kertih.

Participant Abdul Manaf Ahmad of Pengkalan Gelap said the project raised the villagers' awareness of the importance of conservation.

Abdul Manaf said: "We are going to work hard on this project and we are confident we can manage it."