Klebang Beach in Melaka has been badly damaged by sea erosion.

MELAKA: Large property developers in Melaka will be roped in to help address the erosion problem at several beaches in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

He said the move was part of an initiative to prevent erosion from damaging Melaka’s coastlines which are disappearing at an average of four metres annually, based on a report from environmentalists.

“The state government has initiated an early precautionary measure to avoid erosion, especially at Pantai Klebang beachfront, through an ongoing sand reclamation project.

“Through this initiative, Pantai Klebang could become a tourist hotspot thanks to its white sandy beach,” he said here recently.

Idris said climate change was also another factor that had led to rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

“In view of the erosion report provided to us, the state is now looking at cultivating mangrove and other natural buffers to help prevent further erosion of our coastline,” he said.

He added that the state would work with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to develop a database of Melaka’s shoreline topography to help create an effective coastline protection plan.

“A baseline survey will also be done to identify problem sites,” he said.

Idris said lack of care over the years had caused much of Melaka’s mangroves and swampy areas to vanish.

“Turning back the clock and replanting trees, such as coconut trees, could help reduce beach erosion.

“Other measures include constructing breakerwaters that could minimise the erosion in badly affected stretches,” he said.

Idris suggested that stakeholders and community leaders should join hands to replant trees in erosion-prone areas.

For instance, he noted that the coastal communities could serve as environment watchdogs and inform the authorities if soil erosion was taking place in their respective areas.

He added that continuous monitoring was vital in addressing the issue of coastal erosion in the state.