SARAWAK has been commended for its greening efforts of planting 35 million trees.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Sarawak’s effort served as an inspiration for other states to carry out tree-planting projects to enhance biodiversity.
He said that as of June 11, 89 million trees had been planted nationwide since the launch of 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign 2021-2025.
“Sarawak planted more than 35 million trees according to the latest records.
“Congratulations to Sarawak Forestry Department, which is a crucial agency in the Malaysia Greening Programme and Sarawak Greening Programme (which is part of the campaign).
“It is hoped that this achievement serves as motivation to other states,” he said at the Sibu-level International Forest Day 2024 celebration.
Also present was Sarawak Forestry director Datuk Hamden Mohammad.
Nik Nazmi said Malaysia’s current forest of 18 million hectares or 54.58% still exceeded international standards.
“This is in line with Malaysia’s commitment at the 1992 Earth Summit to have at least 50% of the country’s land area to be covered by forests or trees,” he said.
“Sarawak is the largest contributor, with 7.6 million hectares or 42.5% of the country’s total forest area.
“We are still within the figures or standards we aim to achieve.”
He said the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) fund started with RM60mil in 2019.
“And since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister, the fund has been increased to RM200mil this year,” he added.
Sarawak received RM55.4mil, the largest amount from the fund, from 2019 to 2024.
“We hope the amount can be utilised for conservation work,” said Nik Nazmi.
