Jamaliah watering a newly planted sapling with Zahari (second from left) and Azhar (right) at Taman Eko Rimba Gunung Nuang in Hulu Langat, Selangor. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
SELANGOR is ramping up efforts to achieve its target of having 11 million trees planted in the state by 2026.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said 1.62 million trees have been planted so far.
“We are encouraging state government agencies, non-governmental organisations and corporate sectors to get involved.
“We may also review our strategy to ensure the target is achieved,” she told reporters after attending the Gunung Nuang scientific expedition closing ceremony at Taman Eko Rimba Gunung Nuang in Hulu Langat.
Launched in May 2022, the tree-planting campaign is in line with a decree by Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for the state to plant no less than 11 million trees by 2026.
In tabling the state 2024 budget, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said RM400,000 had been allocated for this purpose.
However, Jamaliah said there were challenges because of the high concentration of urban areas in Selangor.
She said space constraint was an issue due to rapid development taking place.
But, Selangor was committed to keeping 30% of its forested areas as a forest reserve, she added.
“At present, the state has some 251,000ha of forest reserves, which accounts for 31.7% of Selangor’s total forested areas.
“This is up by 209ha compared to last year,” she said, adding that four areas were identified as high conservation value sites.
At the event, Jamaliah also took part in a programme to plant 50 dipterocarp seedlings near the park’s entrance.
Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department secretary-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said some 95.6 million trees have been planted nationwide since 2021.
The country was expected to achieve its goal of having 100 million trees planted by the year end, he added.
Launched in 2021, the initiative was part of the 12th Malaysia Plan aimed at ensuring 50% of land areas in the country are covered with forest.
Also present at the event were Selangor Forestry Department director Azhar Ahmad, Hulu Langat chief assistant district officer Mokhzani Mohamed and Universiti Putra Malaysia Forestry and Environment Faculty deputy dean Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Nazre Saleh.
