KOTA KINABALU: The younger generation should make tree planting a continuous practice and a habit to ensure a sustainable future, says Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Zulkifli Suara.
“The younger generation must seize the opportunity to become agents of change by making tree planting a continuous practice and lifestyle for a prosperous and sustainable future,” he said.
Zulkifli said this effort not only strengthens ecosystems but also helps stabilise the climate, reduce the impacts of climate change, and ensure the nation’s economic well‑being.
Zulkifli said this during a tree planting programme held in conjunction with the National‑level International Day of Forests (IDF) 2026 at Sook Lake Forest Reserve in Sabah’s interior Pensiangan here Friday (May 22).
Two schools — SMK Sook and SMK Trus Madi — along with corporate companies and local leaders participated in the programme to plant about 1,000 trees of various species.
Also present were Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Arthur told reporters that tree planting activities will help instil love for the environment and align with the IDF theme of “Forests and Economy”.
He said forests are vital as an economic resource for rural communities and hoped that the younger generation will appreciate today’s forests for the continuity of the future.
Arthur said preserving forests would bring benefits for people in rural areas as it could help be a eco-tourism potential as well as bring about other economic benefits.
The tree planting programme in Sook was part of the corporate social responsibility efforts by Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM), Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB), Ministry of Youth and Sports, Yayasan PETRONAS, Yayasan Sime Darby, and SD Guthrie.
