Yinson Miri, in collaboration with the Malaysia Marine Department (MMD), Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) and Miri City Council (MCC), has organised a mangrove rehabilitation and clean-up programme near Kampung Batu 1 at Kuala Baram, Miri.
The rehabilitation programme kickstarted on 7 October 2023 and was joined by 90 participants from Yinson, MMD, NREB and MCC and supported by 6 personnel from the Malaysia Civil Defence Force and Volunteers Corps Department. The group planted 462 mangrove seedlings and cleaned up the area to facilitate optimal mangrove growth.
After years of human disturbance and natural degradation, the mangrove forest was selected by the NRED and MMD for restoration. The rehabilitated site will be continuously monitored by the Yinson Miri Base Office and MMD personnel on a 6-month intervals to ensure healthy mangrove growth. The programme contributes towards the Sarawak State Government’s strategies and plans for the conservation of mangroves aligning with ‘The Greater Miri Development Masterplan’.
Mangrove trees are a unique group of salt-tolerant trees, that feature highly specialised root systems that act as natural barriers to stabilise sediments and reduce the impact of coastal erosion and extreme climate events. Mangrove forests are also highly effective at capturing and storing carbon through their biomass and the soil they live in. The soil is found to be extremely carbon-rich, with carbon stored estimated to be four times greater than typical tropical forests. Their unique structures and root systems also harbour diverse biodiversity, from nesting sites for birds to breeding sites for shellfish.
Yinson Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sabri Zain attended the event and shared, “We are honoured for the opportunity to collaborate with local government organisations on this mangrove restoration project. Since the arrival of FPSO Helang in 2019, Yinson Miri Operations has started our conservation and restoration efforts in Miri. Through our CSR efforts, we are committed to continuing our biodiversity conservation efforts and helping to address the impact of climate change.”
This is one of Yinson’s many planned biodiversity-focused CSR programmes. Previously, Yinson Miri Operations has focused its efforts on marine biodiversity around Miri waters. Moving forward we will continue to champion environmental conservation and preservation, helping to address climate change and its impacts in the areas where we operate.
