The Restoration and Conservation of Mangrove Forest (RCMF) & Sustainable Alternative Livelihood Programme (SALP) in Southern Manjung, Perak offi­cially began in October 2014, aims at rehabilitating degraded mangrove belt along the Southern Manjung mangrove coastal through community based rehabilitation programme.

The main goal is to support the government’s effort to protect mangrove forest and conserve mangrove resources through rehabilitation and sustainable management practices. Local community participation is identified as an important tool in mangrove rehabilitation. By involving them, it creates a sense of responsibility and ownership towards the environment. For RCMF & SALP, the local communities will be involved in capacity building exercises, establishing mangrove nurseries, mangrove seedling planting, and monitoring the rehabilitation sites.

Duration: 2014 - 2017

Funder: Vale Minerals Malaysia Sdn Bhd/University of Queensland

Partners: Perak Forestry State Department

Target groups: Local community

Aim/objective: To enhance community welfare by protection and enhancement of coastal ecosystems in Manjung district and development of sustainable livelihood.

Summary of achievements:

A total of 36,840 mangrove tree saplings were planted covering 6.861 ha by the Friends of Mangrove Lekir Sitiawan (SHBLS) in Lekir Forest Reserve; also continued various capacity building programmes on cottage industry for alternative livelihood options were organized for the women of SHBLS member, a peer learning programme was organized to empower the Friends of Mangrove Lekir Sitiawan (SHBLS) to develop a homestay programme for tourists to experience the malay kampung lifestyle. Currently, there are 10 families from Sungai Tiram Village and 10 Nature Guides from SHBLS (trained by Persatuan Penggalak Komuniti Eko-Pelancongan Selangor (PPKEPS)) involved in the homestay programme and ecotourism packages.

For more information about the project, please e-mail us at outreach@gec.org.my