Sabah’s tree planting record far from target
Published on: Tuesday, February 06, 2024
By: Jo Ann Mool
Isnin (centre) in a group photo after completing the tree planting.
Tuaran: Some 134,794 trees have been planted throughout Sabah so far in line with the State’s greening target of planting 1.3 million trees by 2033.
State Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih said all 134,794 trees were planted in residential, commercial, industrial areas, public parks and other green areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This figure is still too low for us to be proud of. Therefore, I call on all, especially the Local Authorities (PBT) to intensify efforts and community programmes to inject green spirit among the community in order to achieve the target,” he said, when officiating the Sustainable Greening Initiative programme, KKTP’s Beautiful Park State Aspiration (I P.L.A.N.T.) at Gayang Ria People’s Housing Project II, here.
I P.L.A.N.T. programme aimed to inculcate love for the landscape by coordinating efforts involving public awareness and involvement in landscape preservation as contained in the Sabah State Landscape Policy.
The implementation was to support the direction stated in The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sabah Maju Jaya Direction (SMJ) 2021-2025, Sabah State Landscape Policy, Sabah State’s Planting Target of 1.3 million Trees by 2033 and KKTP Initiative towards a Low Carbon Society.
“Apart from supporting efforts to sustain the environment, this programme also aims to cultivate a low-carbon society towards environmental well-being and sustainable development.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In order to achieve the goal, one of the implementation strategies is through the formation of a GREEN Community where the Integrated Action of PBT and the Community is created through the organisation of a programme towards green efforts and subsequently creating a liveable community.
“This joint venture programme is expected to raise awareness about the importance of tree planting which contributes to increasing the process of carbon absorption as well as achieving the goal of creating a low carbon city while preserving and conserving the environment by restoring green resources in the environment.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This kind of initiative is also implemented together with PBT in Sabah, public agencies such as the Sabah Forestry Department, schools and private agencies such as the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society.
“Through the I P.L.A.NT programme, 3,228 trees have been distributed and planted with the agencies involved. This greening effort is to help the state’s target in achieving a total of 1.3 million tree plantings by 2033,” said Isnin.
Isnin thanked the Ministry’s Executive Committee Members, the Tuaran District Council and PPR Gayang Ria II Management Corporation for their high commitment and dedication to ensure that the programme runs smoothly.
He hoped the greening initiative implemented by the Ministry through the KKTP’s Landscape and Sustainability Sector would continue with a positive momentum that can help towards greening the earth and be a catalyst for all parties to take care of the environment together and balance physical development with environmental sustainability for the sake of mutual prosperity.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
