Starchild: Malaysian children are passionate about forest conservation

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 8

INTERNATIONAL Day of Forests is celebrated on March 21, to raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests. This year’s theme is Forest Restoration: A Path To Recovery And Well-Being. Forests are important to the ecosystem not just because they provide clean cool water, a safe climate and homes for wildlife. Forests also give us amazing outdoor spaces for all of us to enjoy, as well as wood for our homes.

Here’s what our young readers had to say on the topic, International Day of Forests.

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 11

Astrid Bek-Nielsen, 11, says forests are important because they provide oxygen, and is a habitat for many different species of plants and animals. “Some of these animals are endangered, for example, tigers, jaguars and white-cheeked spider monkeys. Many forest plants have many medicinal values. We should appreciate and not clear the forests.”

Debria Preethi Jeyarajah, 9

Debria Preethi Jeyarajah, nine, says: we have to protect the environment for our day to day living. We should not hunt and catch animals and birds. We should have more environmental awareness programmes.”

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 5

Sugashini Joy Prabu, eight, says trees are important because they provide us with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. “A forest is a place where millions of trees and animals live. Forests provide clean air too. We breathe clean air because of the oxygen provided by trees.”

“The trees are the snakes’ home. There are other animals in the rainforests too, such as squirrels, frogs, spiders, honey bears, owls, deers, and birds. Why should we take care of the forests? So the animals will have a home and food to eat, ” says Claire Yap Jyn Wei, five.

Esther Ling Sze Rong, 7

Seven-year-old Esther Ling Sze Rong writes: “People must take care of the forests, otherwise animals will soon become extinct. If we do not stop chopping trees, there will be a lot of carbon dioxide. I wish everyone can reduce, reuse and recycle.

Grace Kong Wan Ching, 10, says we should protect forests because they are the lungs of the earth. “Forests take tonnes of carbon dioxide and give us fresh oxygen. If forests vanish, carbon dioxide levels will rise. We can protect forests by recycling paper. The government should enforce laws to curb deforestation.”

Jodie Tan Li Juen, 11, writes: “Forest is where a large number and various varieties of flora (plants) and fauna (animals) are present. They play a very healthy role in maintaining the ecosystem of the forest and our earth environment. The rain and the oxygen which are most essentials come from the forest and rivers. We need to educate people to restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down.”

Grace Kong Wan Ching, 10

Chloe Leong Xi Zhen, 7

Younger sibling Jayden Tan Li Sheng, eight, says: “We can save forests by stopping the cutting down of trees. Trees are an important resource of oxygen for humans so they must be saved. Trees and forests protect the land from erosion. They make the soil fertile, keep air and streams clear and clean, provide habitat and food for animals.”

Cheryl Ling Sze Tien, 5

Rachel Ling Sze Qing, 6

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: Siblings Day is celebrated in many countries on April 10. It is a special way of honouring the special bond within families, as brothers and sisters share life together from childhood into adulthood. Tell us about your siblings and what are some of their special qualities. Don’t forget to send us a drawing.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by April 2. Please put “STARCHILD: Siblings” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.

Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address.