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  The Star 22 Dec 06
Blunting the next tsunami
Story and Photo by Sira Habibu

ALOR STAR: Moved by the loss of lives and property when the tsunami hit two years ago, a fisherman has set out to plant 30,000 mangrove trees in Kuala Teriang in Langkawi to protect it from strong waves.

He started small. Forking out RM500 of his own money, Hasan Ali, 53, successfully planted an experimental batch of saplings in Burau Bay in June.

His effort caught the attention of the Langkawi Tourism Action Council, which stepped in and helped obtain funding from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry for a more ambitious project.

Hasan then roped in others and they have managed to plant 10,500 trees in Kuala Teriang, the area in Langkawi most badly hit by the tsunami.

"I have seen how devastating the tsunami was. Although it only took one life in Langkawi, I dread thinking of the possibility of further loss of lives if a tsunami hits this area again."

"That is why I feel the need to create an awareness on the importance of planting mangroves in coastal areas to protect lives and property" he said on Wednesday after the official opening of the mangrove planting gotong-royong in Kuala Teriang.

State executive councillor Datuk Nawawi Ahmad opened the event on behalf of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and a group of volunteers, including fishermen, local residents, firemen and government servants, participated in the gotong-royong.

According to Hassan, the seeds were germinated four months ago and work to plant the 10,500 saplings started two weeks back, with the last 2,000 planted on Wednesday. He hopes to plant a total of 30,000 trees eventually.

The project, he said, had been successful because of strong support from government agencies.

Hasan--who lost two fishing boats in the tragedy--said he would water the saplings twice a day during dry days.

"I want to make sure they survive and grow tall and dense to protect the people in the coastal areas," he said. Nawawi commended Hasan for acting as an agent of change and hoped the community would get involved in the project.
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