Social Hero Foundation hosts mangrove planting initiative

The Social Hero Foundation (SHF), a non-profit organisation based in Johor, hosted a mangrove tree planting event today in Kampung Pendas Laut, Gelang Patah.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of mangrove conservation and engage the community in environmental protection efforts.

Planting mangrove for the future

Forty participants from various backgrounds joined the initiative.

Students from SK Pendas Laut, forestry officials, members of the local youth club, volunteers, and representatives from Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s Pelitawanis association donned their boots and got to work planting 74 saplings of two local mangrove varieties: Api-Api and Minyak.

Before getting their hands dirty, SHF Program Director Farrah Baptist engaged students aged 10-12 in a quiz about the significance of mangrove forests.

Many students, whose families are involved in coastal fishing, already grasped the role mangroves play as breeding grounds for fish.

Farrah expanded the discussion to highlight the broader environmental benefits: “These trees capture carbon dioxide, helping fight global warming. Though you might not feel the effects today, these trees will benefit your children’s future.”

She discussed the changing climate, citing increased floods and dwindling fish stocks, prompting lively discussions about how students could contribute: proper waste disposal, water conservation, carpooling, and cycling.

They also connected the event to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) they had learned about in school.

A community feeling the impact

Kampung Pendas Laut and nearby villages have a strong tradition of fishing.

Despite challenges like disruptions from the Forest City development and limited access to fishing grounds near the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, fishing remains their primary livelihood.

Local fishers report unpredictable tides and declining catches, likely due to climate change and coastal development.

A visit to the village fishmongers revealed a varied selection, with some stalls having limited stock and others supplementing their catch with produce from other markets.

The 74 saplings, obtained from Kelab Alami, a local youth social enterprise focused on coastal health (read more: https://bit.ly/4dJSXWh), represent a vital step in protecting the environment and the community’s way of life.

This inaugural event by SHF reflects their mission of sustainable charitable work, national unity, and promoting racial integration through programs aligned with the UN SDGs.