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| kuala selangor |
3Nov. with perfect weather, a group of volunteers coached out to Kuala Selangor , a 1.5hrs drive from KL city. Our task primarily was to steadily rehabilitate an area of mature mangrove forests that had been indiscriminately cleared for commercial activities.
Fortunately, it was discovered and stopped in time by the Malaysian Nature Society. Nevertheless, the damage had been done and now, through regular media attention, more people and corporations are aware of this dilemma and are offering funds and resources to heal this particular area.
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| devastation |
The best place to start this education was afforded us at the peaceful retreat of the nature park run by a team of passionate and ever vigilant staff members of the MNS. Lots more interesting information on the importance and protection of the mangrove ecosystem in our environment, effects of global warming, habitat flora & fauna including tourist accommodation and migratory bird watching can also be found at
KSNP Malaysia.
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| MNS office |
Mangroves serve as an intertidal buffer zone and stabilises the coastal areas especially the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia. It is also a major nursery for the provision of habitat for marine life. It's hard to imagine that the smelly (yes, smelly!) muddy flats come "alive" teeming with such a diverse collection of molluscs, colourful crustaceans, small fishes (mudskippers) and microorganisms.
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| Sonneratia alba (respiratory root species) |
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| Rhizophora mucronata (stilt root species) |
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| entrance to mangrove planting site |
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| "how to" with traditional implement on the left |
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| mucking in |
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| newly planted - 300 saplings for the day |
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| sapling planted 4months ago |
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| after 2 years |
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| great looking 'fences' |
Despite some hilarious 'stuck in the mud' situations (anxious, for those involved!!) we managed to complete task in 2hrs, by which time, the midday sun was scorching.
Headed back to the park and were given complimentary use of hostel facilities to clean up prior to a well deserved lunch for the famished bunch - a bit of exercise certainly helped whet the appetites...
Distance from KSNP to mangrove planting area :-
- 10mins by aircond coach
- 10mins by non-aircond old school bus (off road conditions)
- 500m walk to tent site (collect wellies, gloves and bottled water)
- another 200m walk from tent site to planting site (squishy, squashy muddy ...)
Reverse sequence for return trip.
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