UPM S’wak, Glenealy collaborate in ‘Nurturing Nature’ programme
BINTULU: A total of 400 saplings of two local species namely Engkabang Jantung (Shorea macrophylla) and Kapur (Dryobalanops lanceolata) were planted during the ‘Nurturing Nature’ programme at Nirwana Forest Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB) recently.
The programme was organised by the university in collaboration with Glenealy Plantations Sdn Bhd.
The tree planting was officiated by Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences dean Dr Zamri Rosli and attended by Glenealy Plantations Sdn Bhd senior manager Chieng Kai Soon.
Dr Zamri was pleased with the collaborative programme involving the private sector.
“This shows that the private sector such as Glenealy Plantations Sdn Bhd has high commitment and interest in conserving affected forested areas.
“I hope this collaboration effort will be continued in the future and sustained,” he said in his opening address.
Chieng stated that his company, which funded the programme this year, is very interested in environmental conservation.
He also expressed the company’s desire to work and collaborate with UPMKB in the coming years.
The joint coordinators of this Nurturing Nature programme are Assoc Prof Dr Geoffery James Gerusu (UPMKB) and Belden Giman (Glenealy Plantations).
UPMKB, in a statement, said this tree planting aimed to rehabilitate tropical forested areas that have been affected within the Nirwana Forest, UPMKB.
In addition, the programme was in line with the initiative to plant 100 million trees in the country to reduce the impact of greenhouse gasses emissions and improve the natural ecosystem.
The programme also seeked to cultivate environmental awareness in the local community to appreciate the forest ecosystem rich in flora and fauna biodiversity.
About 100 representatives from Glenealy Plantations Sdn Bhd, Bintulu Resident Office, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), Sarawak Forest Department Bintulu Division, Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board, Department of Environment Bintulu Branch as well as UPMKB staff and students participated in the programme.