A TOTAL of one million trees, one each for every citizen in Negri Sembilan, will be planted by 2015, befitting this year’s national World Earth Day theme of “Greening the Earth — One Malaysian, One Tree.”
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this was in line with the federal government’s aim to plant 26 million trees nationwide to help reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and aid in efforts to control climate change.
“Conserving the gifts of Mother Nature and caring for the environment are the responsibility of every individual and by planting a tree, everyone will have the chance to contribute and make a difference in preserving our environment for future generations.
“The plan is to plant 200,000 trees annually for five years but I think we do not have to wait that long. Planting a tree is not difficult and as long as we can convey to people the difference a single tree can make in saving our environment, I am sure they will have no qualms in doing so,” he said at the event’s launch at SMK Seri Sendayan in Seremban.
Mohamad handed out aquilaria malacenssis (karas) saplings to villagers to help kickstart the mass tree-planting initiative.
The plant is a source of prized agarwood, a resinuous heartwood used in perfume and incense.
“Although you can plant just about any tree to do your bit to green the earth, the state government in co-operation with the Forestry Department will be supplying karas saplings or seeds to those living in rural areas to help them earn a living from the trees that they plant.
“This is sort of a two-in-one approach to saving our earth — the agarwood from these karas trees are highly sought after and by planting them, you will be doing yourself and the environment a favour,” he said, adding that the programme would be implemented in stages.
Some 700 villagers from Kg Felda Sendayan, Kg Gadong Jaya, Kg Gadong Lama, Kg Jimah and Kg Jimah Baru — the first to benefit from the tree-planting drive —would receive five saplings each.
Mohamad said the villagers would receive a guidebook to help them with the basics of caring for the karas trees.
“Throughout its lifespan, each of these trees have the capacity to absorb 1,000kg of carbon and this will significantly help in reducing our carbon footprint,” he said.
Mohamad, who launched the school’s ethnobotany garden during his visit, also planted a tree in its premises and promised the students he would be back to check on its progress.
Some 150 karas trees were planted around the school by students, government officials and local village development and security committee (JKKK) heads at the event.
A mini-exhibition on environmental awareness was also held by various agencies including the state Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment departments.
State plantation affairs, human resources, environment and public complaints committee chairman Datuk V.S.Mogan, who was also present, said environmental awareness and a love for nature had to be cultivated at a young age.
“I am glad the students are participating in the tree-planting ceremony. At least our message will not fall on deaf ears as these children will know the importance of conserving nature.
“There are many things we can do to save the earth and that includes tree-planting, recycling and reducing our energy consumption,” he said, adding that a collective effort would greatly benefit the environment.
