By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Dec 23: Land measuring one hectare in Bukit Siol here under the Kuching City North Hall (DBKU) has been set aside to be developed as the Belian Tree Garden.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that belian tree or the Borneo ironwood has been declared a heritage tree of Sarawak.
“We hope future generations will be able to appreciate the uniqueness of this heritage tree in many years to come.
“We would also identify other areas to expand this development,” he said during the State-Level Greening Malaysia Programme Planting 100 Million Trees Campaign held at Bukit Siol here today.
Noting that belian trees will take a much longer time to grow, Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak also has fast-growing tree species which can be harvested in four to six years.
“With a systematic approach to plant, grow and fell the trees, a sustainable forest cycle can be developed and managed.
“Furthermore, there is a worldwide need for environmentally friendly feedstock either from renewable materials like trees or like China (which focuses) on water and hydrogen. So we can have a clean environment,” he added.
The Covid-19 pandemic, Abang Johari reiterated, has taught the world many important lessons, among them to make health and environment top priorities.
“While we leave it to the scientists to study the coronavirus, what we can do as human beings is to practise good hygiene including to look after our environment,” he added.
Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister of Utility (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Sarawak Forest director Datu Hamden Mohammad and DBKU Mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan were also present. — DayakDaily
