Chery, IUCN and MNS Launch 18-Month Mangrove Restoration Project in Kuala Selangor
Chery Corporate Malaysia Sdn Bhd has joined forces with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) to launch Cherish the Nature, an 18-month collaborative mangrove restoration project along the North-central Selangor Coast (NCSC).
The project was officially launched at Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP), marking a multi-stakeholder effort to restore degraded mangrove ecosystems while strengthening community-led conservation along one of Malaysia’s most ecologically significant coastlines.
A Science-Backed, Community-Led Approach
Supported by global automotive brand Chery, administered by IUCN and co-implemented by IUCN and MNS, the initiative combines science-based conservation planning with local ecological knowledge.
IUCN’s technical tools will be used to identify priority mangrove restoration sites across the 130km-long NCSC landscape. These sites will then be rehabilitated using mangrove saplings nurtured in nurseries established and managed by local communities.
At least six hectares of degraded mangrove areas are targeted for restoration, with trained community members carrying out planting activities. Post-planting monitoring and evaluation will track ecological recovery and ensure long-term survival of the mangrove saplings.
Protecting Biodiversity and Livelihoods
The NCSC is home to a rich mix of coastal mudflats, mangroves and wetlands that support fisheries, tourism and biodiversity. Kuala Selangor, in particular, is known for its fireflies, shorebirds, primates (such as the Selangor Silvered Langur) and thriving eco-tourism sector.
However, land-use changes and coastal clearing have led to ongoing mangrove loss, threatening marine species such as fish, crabs and shellfish — and, by extension, the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities along the coast.
Cherish the Nature aims to address these pressures through restoration, protection and education, recognising that ecosystem health and community resilience are deeply interconnected.
Public Participation and Environmental Education
To mark the project launch, over 200 guests from government agencies, academic institutions, local communities and the private sector gathered at KSNP. Members of Chery’s vehicle owner group WCWL and OMODA | JAECOO’s J-Club also took part in citizen science activities and mangrove planting sessions.
Public outreach and environmental education form a central pillar of the project, with programmes planned for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, schools, government bodies and private organisations to raise awareness of ecosystem conservation and shared responsibility.
Aligning with Global Biodiversity Targets
A key component of the initiative is the implementation of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which help safeguard mangroves while creating ecological linkages between coastal ecosystems and other biodiversity-rich landscapes and seascapes.
This approach supports Malaysia’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the global 30×30 target to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030.
Chery Group, IUCN and MNS have jointly reaffirmed their commitment to advancing these goals through the Cherish the Nature project in Malaysia.
CarTok Editor’s Note
Automakers talk sustainability all the time. But not all put real funding, effort, science and community involvement into long-term conservation work. This project stands out not because it’s flashy, but because it’s structured, measurable and rooted in local impact — exactly where environmental commitments should begin.
