5,000 rainforest trees for Iskandar Puteri park

Mohammad Nizar unveiling the MCIS project signage at Sireh Park, a biodiversity heritage area.

TO REDUCE the impact of global warming, MCIS Insurance Bhd (MCIS Life) has pledged RM1mil to plant 5,000 endemic rainforest trees within the MCIS Life Legacy Forest in Sireh Park, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

This is a significant expansion of its pilot project which saw the planting of 1,280 saplings between 2020 and 2022.

The new trees will raise the number of endemic rainforest species on site to more than 45 types.

In a statement, MCIS Life chairman Mohammad Nizar Idris said they were planting the seeds for the future.

“This is our contribution to conserve and protect the environment towards mitigating the effects of climate change.

“Taking concerted actions in the fight against global warming is a collective responsibility and we are leading the way to stem the loss of biodiversity through the planting of carefully selected endemic rainforest trees which will be of great help with carbon offset,” he said after unveiling the MCIS Life Legacy Forest signage at Sireh Park.

The 5,000 saplings to be planted, combined with the existing 1,280 trees on site, are collectively expected to help offset approximately 567 tonnes of carbon by 2029 as the trees mature.

The latest tree-planting initiative is supported by a strategic partnership between MCIS Life and The Nusajaya Natural Heritage Trust, a non-profit organisation which owns and operates Sireh Park, a sustainable natural heritage park focusing on conserving, documenting and promoting plant biodiversity in the area.

MCIS Life’s annual report for the period ending Dec 31, 2022 showed that the pilot initiative involving 1,280 trees had contributed to an estimated 30.03 tonnes of carbon offset for the reporting period — an increase from the estimated 17.6 tonnes noted as of Dec 31, 2021.

“The board and management of MCIS Life view sustainability as an integral part of not just the company’s success and growth plans.

“We understand the importance of consistent actions towards the betterment of our natural environment, building a better future and helping shape a healthier population,” said Mohammad Nizar.