LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — In an effort to protect their bays and shores, employes of the city government and other offices based here planted hundreds of mangrove trees in barangay Tandung Ahas on March 18.
Mangroves act as a natural carbon sink and a buffer between land and sea, protecting shorelines by preventing coastal erosion and providing storm surge protection. It also contributes in restoring and protecting the biodiversity of marine and coastal ecosystems by providing feeding, breeding, as well as safe nursing grounds, habitats, nesting, and migratory sites for many aquatic species, birds, and other fauna species.
The activity was organized by the Quick Response Team (QTR) of Lamitan City headed by Honeylyn Uy upon the instructions of Mayor Roderick Furigay..
The activity was attended by the employees and officials from City Environment Office, Agriculture Office, Bantay Dagat, members of the Lamitan City Police, 18th Infantry Battalion, and Youth Development office.
Mangrove grows in the coastline saline or brackish water.
Some 2,000 mangroves were planted in the coastlines of Sitio Bato-Pari in Barangay Tandung Ahas, one of the fish sanctuaries of the city.
Here are three interesting facts about mangroves:
- Mangroves are the only species of trees in the world that can tolerate saltwater. …
- Mangroves are hotspots of biodiversity. …
- Mangroves have great capacity to take carbon out of the atmosphere.
Uy said, the activity was among the highlights of the Women’s Month Celebration of Lamitan Cicty.-ezc
