Environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) want the Johor Budget 2027 being tabled on Nov 19 to include measures for environmental protection.
Green Earth Society Johor president P. Sivakumar urged the state government to fund more urban forests or parks.
“Planting trees in urban areas improves public health, cools heat islands, helps manage stormwater and boosts local economies,’’ he told StarMetro.
Sivakumar explained that trees soak up rainwater and help reduce flooding.
He said flash floods that occurred in downtown Johor Baru and nearby areas could be partially solved by planting more trees.
“Urban tree networks and pocket forests serve as critical wildlife corridors too, linking and sheltering city birds, small mammals and pollinators,” he added.
Sivakumar also urged local authorities to check if tree species selected for planting programmes were suitable, following multiple cases of fallen trees damaging vehicles and properties.
Meanwhile, Safe Johor River founder Poh Pai Yik said Johor must introduce short, medium and long-term solutions for its pressing environmental challenges.
He urged the state government to aggressively tackle river pollution, deforestation and illegal dumping through the upcoming budget.
“Ignoring urgent environmental issues will trigger devastating, long-term consequences for Johor,’’ he warned.
Poh stressed that contaminated rivers destroyed the livelihoods of inland fishermen and Orang Asli communities who relied on waterways for survival.
He said those treating waterways like rubbish dumps should be subject to strict penalties.
“Johor must rigorously protect its forest reserves. These critical water catchments cannot be sacrificed to illegal logging and farming,” he said.
Poh called on the state government to team up with Johor-based environmental NGOs to lead public education campaigns on environment.
