GEORGE TOWN: Underscoring its commitment to inculcate eco-consciousness and community spirit, Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) conducted the third instalment of its mangrove replacement planting programme at Sungai Acheh, Nibong Tebal recently.
This instalment saw E&O joining hands with Tanjung Tokong community leaders to plant 500 mangrove saplings at Sungai Acheh, Nibong Tebal today; bringing to 1,500 the total number of saplings planted under the programme, to date.
The Tanjung Tokong community organisations which were represented in the initiative include the Fishermen’s Association of Tanjung Tokong, Paramount and Persiaran Gurney Fishermen; parent-teacher associations of various schools; as well as a number of residents’ associations from the locale.
Also present at the event was Penang Forestry Department officer Maizura Amat Kaulan.
E&O’s pledge to plant 1,500 mangrove saplings was made when it launched the mangrove replacement planting programme in May 2016. The first two sessions involved representatives from government agencies and school children from the Tanjung Tokong community, respectively.
“E&O would like to sincerely thank our programme partners, the Penang Forestry Department and the Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA) for their continued support and collaboration towards this meaningful environmental exercise,” said E&O Property (Penang) Sdn Bhd general manager Zawawi Yusop.
The programme demonstrated a successful partnership between E&O, Penang Forestry Department and PIFWA. Before venturing into the mangrove forest, volunteers were briefed by PIFWA to better understand the significance of mangroves in sustaining coastal ecosystems.
Saplings planted were of the Rhizophora Apiculata (bakau minyak) and Rhizophora Mucnorata (bakau kurap) variety.
Besides the mangrove-planting programme, E&O also organises different eco-friendly activities under its Think Green community education programme to foster eco-centric values among the young generation.