(From left, holding the watering can) Mohd Yazid with Wan Mahmood and Gamuda Land executive director Datuk Abdul Sahak Safi during the tree-planting programme at Gamuda Gardens Central Park, Rawang.
SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) kicked off a massive tree- planting programme at Gamuda Gardens Central Park, Rawang, on Dec 17 as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
A total of 25,000 trees were planted in a simultaneous event which also took place at 24 MPS Residents’ Committees (JKP) zones and Elmina Business Park, Sime Darby.
The programme was launched by Orang Besar Daerah Gombak Tan Sri Wan Mahmood Pa’wan Teh and supported by Selangor Forestry Department, other agencies, developers, corporations, research institutes and a school.
MPS supplied 20,000 of the saplings with the rest were donated by Gamuda Land as well as volunteers who helped plant the saplings.
The programme is in line with a decree by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah that the state plant 26 million trees by 2026, symbolic of his 26-year reign that began in 2001.
Wan Mahmood said the tree planting programme was part of the council’s corporate social responsibility.
“The problem here is that so many trees are cut down because of greed in the name of development.
“We must ensure that this does not occur again,” he added.
MPS president Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi said the programme was a reflection of the state government’s ongoing efforts to save the forests and ensure their functionality while also addressing climate change and lowering carbon emissions.
“This programme will raise everyone’s awareness of their responsibilities. We hope to encourage more Malaysians to love the environment and plant trees.
“We must ensure that the trees planted here are healthy and well-maintained,” he added.
The Gamuda Parks Canopy mobile phone application was also launched during the programme.
The app can be used to track tree health. Information such as species, location and carbon value can be easily accessed by scanning the QR code on each tree.
The digitisation of the tree database is meant to raise awareness of the value and importance of biodiversity.
The 25,000 Tree Planting Programme included additional activities like traditional games and sports for visitors and volunteers.
