Army troopers and environment personnel planted about 2,000 mangrove seedlings along the coastlines of Guihulngan, Oriental Negros, recently, a press release from the Civil Military Operations Office of the Army's 11 Infantry Battalion.

The Bravo Company of the army was led by 1LT Leo Christopher Cunanan, together with representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resource, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Mangrove trees contribute to the preservation of the marine environment but their population is rapidly deteriorating, because of the destruction of mangrove forests brought about by over-harvesting for construction and charcoal production, pollution, global warming and other causes.

To help address this problem, army men planted mangrove propagules of the Bakhaw Bato or Bangkaw species along the coastal part of Brgy. Mc Kinley, in Guihulngan.

The activity started with an opening ceremony followed by a short lecture about mangrove trees, which focused on the proper planting and propagation and its importance in the preservation of the marine environment, the press release said

. The lecture also gave emphasis to the significance of mangrove trees as the breeding place of fishes. After the lecture, the group immediately proceeded to the area and planted the propagules provided by CENRO-I. The activity also instilled environmental consciousness among the soldiers, the press release added.*

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