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By Ashley Sim and Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 12: Of the 60 million trees planted in Malaysia to achieve the Greening Malaysia Programme, 37 per cent or 22 million trees are planted in Sarawak.
According to Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Deputy Minister Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Malaysia has embarked on a nationwide reforestation programme in fragmented areas to ensure biological connectivity.
“One of them is the Greening Malaysia Programme through the 100 Million Tree-planting Campaign within five years, from 2021 to 2025, with the slogan ‘Our Trees, Our Lives’.
“As of May 31, 2023, more than 60 million trees have been planted nationwide.
“I am also very proud to say that Sarawak has contributed to the most trees planted so far, which is a staggering amount of almost 22 million trees,” said Huang during the Forest Conservation Conference 2023 held at a local hotel today.
At the same event, Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) director Datu Hamden Mohammad said Sarawak is dedicated to planting 35 million trees by 2025 to support the 100-Million Tree Planting Campaign.
He said since its launch in 2021, Sarawak has achieved the highest number of trees planted in the country, with nearly two million trees planted throughout the State.
“FDS welcomes collaboration with private sectors, other government agencies, NGOs, and the public, especially in planting indigenous tree species such as the Belian tree.
“For your information, the Belian tree is Sarawak’s Heritage Tree, and we encouraged this species to be planted in suitable areas,” said Hamden.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg speaking to the reporters after the event said, the planted trees in Sarawak have almost reached 23 million.
“We have planted many trees of indigenous species in Sarawak to achieve the targeted 35 million trees and Sarawak has contributed a sizeable of almost 23 million.
“And you must remember, 42 per cent of forest cover in Malaysia is contributed by Sarawak,” he emphasised.
Also present during the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESTY) Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi and Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) deputy secretary-general (Natural Resources) Abdul Wahid Abu Salim. — DayakDaily
