KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has achieved 25% of its target of planting 1.3 million trees by 2033, says state Local Government and Housing minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam.
He said 331,151 trees have been planted under the I.P.L.A.N.T. project up to December last year.
"This is still far from our target," he said at a programme in Putatan near here on Tuesday (April 8).
I.P.L.A.N.T., introduced in 2020, stands for Inisiatif Penghijauan Lestari, Aspirasi Negeri Taman Terindah (Sustainable Greening Initiative, Aspirations of the Most Beautiful State Garden Programme).
In his speech, read out by Assistant Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, he said the programme was part of Sabah's Green Landscaping Project aimed at beautifying the state and promoting sustainable development.
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A total of RM11.15mil has been allocated to local authorities statewide for programmes under the project to be implemented this year.
Joachim urged local authorities to work with stakeholders to proactively promote and implement the tree-planting programme.
He said more campaigns and initiatives must be undertaken, as well as related programmes that promote green living and sustainable development.
The main principle is to create a community that emphasises green initiatives, smart usage of resources, carbon footprint reduction, development of green technologies, and conservation of nature, he added.
As such, the minister urged the authorities to involve people from all walks and stages of life, including children.
