‘Dept always working with other bodies on environment’
SERIAN: The Sarawak Forest Department hopes that the public will realise that forestry also encompasses environmental preservation.
Since 2018, the JapanMalaysia Association (JMA), Kinoshita Group, Mitsubishi and other organisations have worked together with us to preserve and conserve the forests here in Gunung Apeng. Hamden Mohammad, Sarawak Forest Department director
Its director Hamden Mohammad said in a press statement earlier this week that as an agency that monitors issues relating to forestry ecosystem, the department would continue to work closely with relevant parties in the Forest Landscape Restoration programme.
“Since 2018, the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA), Kinoshita Group, Mitsubishi and other organisations have worked together with us to preserve and conserve the forests here in Gunung Apeng.
“They have been organising tree- planting projects, with the help of the locals here. Since 2018, as many as 60,000 trees of local varieties have been planted in 300 hectares around Gunung Apeng,” Hamden said in the press statement.
Hamden had joined about 150 people at a tree planting programme held at the Gunung Apeng National Park on March 2, where they planted 600 malva nut trees.
The programme was joined by 80 students from SMK Balai Ringin, SK Krait, SK St Norbert, SK Triang as well as villagers from Kampung Paon Gahat and Kampung Tong Nibong.
The programme was held in conjunction with the state-level celebration of International Day of Forests 2019 as well as to celebrate the Sarawak Forest Department’s 100th anniversary.
Also present at the programme were JMA and Kinoshita Group executive director Arai Takuji, JMA Sarawak coordinator Kazue Sakai and Professor Dr Hamsawi Sani from Unimas.