Webinar – International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem

Date: 31^st July 2021 (Saturday)

Time: 10am

Registration: https://bit.ly/3ktp975

The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was first adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2015 and is celebrated annually on 26^th July.

Mangroves are fascinating and extremely important ecosystems. They are important not only for biodiversity, but also for the services they provide to humans. They are a natural defence system sheltering coasts from erosion, tidal waves, storms and even tsunami. Apart from that, mangroves are the most important nurseries for fish, crabs, molluscs and other sea life in Southeast Asia, with up to 70% of the commercial species dependent on mangroves in the early stages of their life cycle. Their intricate system of creeks, roots and stems, serve as natural filters which improves the quality of water. In addition, mangrove ecosystem is an important source of timber products, well suited for construction and charcoal.

Despite their biodiversity and economic values, mangroves in this country have depleted at an alarming rate over the last two decades due to human activities such as aquaculture, agriculture and urban expansion as well as natural disasters such as tsunamis and coastal erosion. At least 30% of mangrove areas have been reclaimed and converted for other land uses in Peninsular Malaysia since 1990. Meanwhile, mangrove deforestation rates in the states of Sabah and Sarawak are equally high.

One of the reasons for these losses is a lack of recognition by the general public about the value of mangroves, the role they play in our lives and that of coastal communities. Public cannot relate how the safety of their homes and food on their plates are connected to this remarkable ecosystem. This webinar aims to address the lack of awareness about the mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.

Wetlands International is partnering with one of our long-term partners – Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA) in organising this webinar. PIFWA has been planting mangrove trees along the coast line of Sungai Burong and Sungai Acheh in Penang, realizing the importance of mangroves for coastal resilience and in securing the food source. This conservation effort was first introduced to PIFWA by Wetlands International back in year 1997. It has since, been helmed by its association members on a voluntary basis by their own effort. After the Tsunami in 2004, PIFWA has been actively conducting mangrove re-planting along the coast line of southern Penang. Approximately 70,000 mangrove trees were planted from 2004 to 2008 which marks the success and sustainability of PIFWA in coastal conservation efforts.

A quiz session will be held after the presentations, participant(s) who answer the quiz correctly will get to adopt one mangrove seedling which will be sponsored by Wetlands International and planted on behalf by PIFWA at Sg. Acheh. Certificate of adoption will be given as well.

Hari Konservasi Ekosistem Hutan Paya Laut Antarabangsa

Tarikh: 31^st Julai 2021 (Sabtu)

Masa: 10 pagi

Pendaftaran: https://bit.ly/3ktp975

Persidangan Umum United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) telah mengistihar dan menetapkan 26hb Julai setiap tahun sebagai Hari Konservasi  Ekosistem Hutan Paya Laut Antarabangsa.

Hutan Paya Laut atau Hutan Paya Bakau merupakan suatu ekosistem yang unik dimana kebanyakan hidupan laut bergantung kepadanya sebagai habitat pembiakan. Ekosistem hutan paya laut juga memain peranan yang penting dalam mempertahankan persisiran pantai negara kita daripada bencana alam semula jadi seperti ribut lebat dan hakisan tanah. Di samping itu, hutan paya laut turut menyumbang kepada pembangunan sosial ekonomi masyarakat setempat.

Walaupun ekosistem hutan paya bakau ini mempunyai kepelbagaian biodiversiti dan nilai ekonomi yang tinggi, namun kawasan hutan paya bakau di negara kita makin merosot sejak dua dekad yang lalu. Hutan paya bakau makin diancam oleh berbagai kegiatan pembangunan seperti penggunaan tidak terkawal, pencemaran, penukaran untuk pertanian dan akuakultur atau perumahan, industri minyak dan gas serta pembangunan infrastruktur. Kebanyakan hutan bakau di seluruh dunia telah dimusnahkan, bersama dengan fungsi dan kegunaannya.

Wetlands International bekerjasama dengan salah satu rakan strategik kami – Persatuan Kebajikan Nelayan-nelayan Pantai Pulau Pinang (PKNNPPP) akan menganjurkan webinar bagi memupuk kesedaran di kalangan masyarakat tentang kepentingan ekosistem hutan paya bakau sebagai “ekosistem yang unik, dan istimewa” untuk mempromosikan kaedah yang jelas bagi pengurusan, pemuliharaan dan penggunaan secara lestari. Menyedari betapa pentingnya bakau untuk perlindungan pesisir pantai dan menjamin sumber makanan, PIFWA telah menanam lebih 70,000 pokok bakau di sepanjang garis pantai Sungai Burong dan Sungai Acheh di Pulau Pinang, PIFWA telah aktif melakukan penanaman bakau di sepanjang garis pantai selatan Pulau Pinang selepas Tsunami pada tahun 2004.

Satu sesi kuiz akan diadakan selepas pembentangan. Peserta-peserta yang menjawab kuiz dengan betul akan dapat ‘adopt’ sepohon anak pokok paya bakau yang ditaja oleh Wetlands Internasional dan ditanam bagi pihak oleh ahli PKNNPPP.

Program:

Participation:

• All participants will be given an E-certificate

Prizes: