KUALA LUMPUR: The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake unleashed the deadliest tsunami in history and its catastrophic effects were felt by 14 nations, including Malaysia.
The tsunami, which was the result of a 9.1-9.3 Mw earthquake, destroyed the coastlines of Sumatra in Indonesia, Tamil Nadu in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Somalia in Africa.
More than a quarter of a million people lost their lives and many coastal townships were decimated.
People learned a number of lessons from this tragedy. They learned that some of the shorelines in several countries were facing open seas. Therefore, these countries decided to enclose their shores in the most innovative way.
They created buffer zones comprising mangrove forests.
Malaysia reacted quickly by rolling out mangrove planting programmes with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on 14 April 2005.
The Forestry Department managed to create a 2,260-hectare costal buffer zone in vulnerable areas throughout the nation.
The buffer zone serves as a natural barrier against strong waves, including tsunamis, strong winds, and soil erosion. It protects humans and properties along coastlines.
Evaluating the Success
The Forestry Department plants saplings and the Forestry Research Institute (FRIM) produces saplings and monitors their growth.
According to FRIM, muddy soil allows saplings to be uprooted easily.
Datuk Dr Marzalina Mansor, who heads the FRIM team, is involved in the preparation of sapling stocks. She admitted that researchers who are a part of the programme have to learn more about other suitable species that can protect humans and the environment.
Marzalina said the team has to source for mangrove seeds.
“We have to find seeds every month for our penology studies to determine the flowering season. We also have to source for seeds of different species.
“I have seen snakes swimming right in front of me. Once, I sank in mud while checking on seedlings that were growing along the coast,” she said.
“Just imagine, sinking deep in the mud until your chest, and your shoes have been swallowed by the sinking sand, thank God my colleagues managed to pull me out after being stuck for 10 minutes,” she said.
Api-api
For Marzalina and her team, such incidents happen every other day.
Her team also studies the distribution of wild species and their resilience against strong waves. According to her team, Api-api (Avicennia spp) mangroves are able to withstand strong waves and winds.
Api-api’s prop roots breathe well underwater. This way, they are able to survive even if they are submerged during high tides.
“The roots of the Api-api plant binds the soil and makes it more compact, which in turn enables other species like ‘Perepat’ to survive,” explained Marzalina.
What is more important is that dead Api-api trees provide space for other plants to thrive.
Villagers Join In
Meanwhile, Kampung Dato Hormat in Sabak Bernam is the focal point in the study of mangroves and other suitable plants. It is feared that the rapid erosion of river banks will affect the livelihood of locals.
The village was chosen for the study after several villagers sought FRIM’s assistance to rehabilitate and strengthen river banks.
After conducting preliminary studies, 900 mangrove seedlings were planted in the region by 70 villagers, under the supervision of 10 FRIM employees.
This shows that coastal settlers are aware of the importance of coastal plants and are keen on protecting their coastlines from erosion.
This gives FRIM the opportunity to conduct studies while helping locals to create a buffer zone.
FRIM is also helping locals to collect seeds so that they grow properly. – Bernama