Mangrove Afforestation Project Vol.1 (Broadcast on February 7, 2025) ~ FM Kurashiki's Challenge! Building a Future to Protect the Environment from One Mangrove Seedling

"Weekly Kurashiki Happy Radio" airs every Friday from 3 PM to 7 PM.

In the segment called "Mangrove Afforestation Project," the program's MC, Charlie Otani, actually travels to the Philippines to report on the local mangroves and the afforestation efforts.

kanepackage Inc. cooperates with us. Under the guidance of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, FM Kurashiki has started activities to plant mangroves!

This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.

Mangrove Afforestation Project

The Earth we live on is facing various environmental issues, but the forests of "mangroves," which play a crucial role in protecting coastlines and maintaining ecosystems, are currently decreasing rapidly.

As a result, coastal erosion is progressing, and it is said that there are serious impacts on fisheries and the lives of local residents.

By planting mangroves, the following effects can be expected for the Earth:

Prevention of coastal erosion
Mitigation of climate change
Protection of biodiversity
Protection from tsunamis and storm surges
Water quality purification

In this project, FM Kurashiki collaborates with kanepackage Inc. This company began mangrove planting on Olango Island in the Philippines in 2008 and continues efforts to protect the local ecosystem.

Immediately, we went to meet the mangroves in the Philippines with Tessei from kanepackage Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "kanepackage").

Mangroves Planted on Olango Island

Olango Island, located about an hour by boat from Cebu Island, is the first island in the Philippines to be designated as a Ramsar site.

The boat used to reach Olango Island is called a "banca boat." It looks just like a fishing boat used for oyster farming! The waves were calm on this day.

On Olango Island, activities for mangrove afforestation by kanepackage are taking place.

What kind of mangroves will we see this time?

The Olango Island we are visiting this time is the place where we first planted mangroves in 2008.

It takes about 10 to 15 years for mangroves to grow into mature trees, but during that time, they play a very important role in absorbing carbon dioxide and purifying water quality. I hope you can see how much they grow in 15 years.

Moreover, our activities are not just about increasing the number of mangroves; it is important to carry out afforestation while maintaining the balance of nature.

Why Simply Increasing Mangroves is Not Enough

Regarding this reason, Tessei mentioned the example of Japanese cedar and cypress.

For example, if a lot of cedar and cypress are planted in Japan, it will worsen hay fever. When only specific species increase, the balance of nature is disrupted.

To avoid disrupting that balance of nature, we employ mangrove experts in-house and are expanding afforestation across various islands in the Philippines while conducting research on mangroves.

During this interview, a mangrove expert also accompanied us.

At kanepackage, there is a department that conducts CSR activities, which includes a mangrove division where mangrove experts gather. Some members have even obtained PhDs in mangrove research.

Moreover, kanepackage's enthusiasm does not stop there. To strengthen their focus on mangrove research, they have established a research facility in the local area (Cebu Island, Mactan Island).

When researching mangroves, samples obtained in Southeast Asia or tropical rainforests are usually brought to research institutions in Singapore or Japan for testing, but this takes time for transportation and customs procedures. As a result, the samples may deteriorate and lose freshness.

Therefore, we have also set up research facilities in Cebu Island and Mactan Island. I believe we are probably the only ones in the world with an environment capable of testing such fresh samples.

Mangrove afforestation is not just about planting.

To maintain harmony with the local natural environment, it is important to carry out afforestation in a planned manner.

Next, we will finally land on Olango Island!

Conclusion

FM Kurashiki participates in the United Nations' policy "SDG Media Compact," clarifying the connections between the programs it broadcasts and the 17 goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals, and is committed to promoting sustainable development goals.

The Mangrove Afforestation Project is also a program based on the SDG Media Compact and is currently ongoing.

If there are guests who come by car to "Weekly Kurashiki Happy Radio," we plant one tree for each car.

Additionally, if you purchase a badge for 500 yen, we plant one tree for each badge sold. As of February 2025, we have sold 80 badges!

We will continue to deliver useful information to the local community.