A community’s mangrove mission

KUALA RAJANG: The Kuala Rajang Islamic Welfare Trust Board (LAKIKR), in partnership with the Norway-based Worldview International Foundation (WIF), has launched the Blue Carbon Project to revitalise local communities and protect the environment.
Covering 74,100 acres of mangrove forests, including 23,400 acres in Selalang, Kerubong, and Kerapa, the project aimed to harness the economic and ecological benefits of mangrove ecosystems.
The Sarawak Forest Department granted the project permit in December 2023.
WIF, experienced in similar initiatives in Myanmar, will assess the revenue potential from Carbon Credit sales.
Local residents will be involved in various aspects of the project, from mangrove seed collection to tree planting and data collection.
This will create employment opportunities and empower the community.
A briefing session was held today (Nov 16) at the Kampung Selalang Community Hall to inform residents about the project’s goals and their potential involvement.
The first phase, targeting January 2025, will involve planting mangroves across 100 acres, focusing on nine species.
Nearly 200 residents from Selalang, Kerubong, and Kerapa have already expressed interest in participating.