SOOK: Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, has urged the community, especially the younger generation, to seize the opportunity to become agents of change by making tree planting a continuous practice and a way of life for a sustainable future.
He said Sabah is fortunate to be among the regions with the highest forest cover in Malaysia, and all parties are urged to continue cultivating a love for the environment for the sake of future sustainability.
“It shows that forests are also important as an economic resource for rural communities, and I hope the younger generation can appreciate the forests that exist today for the sake of future sustainability,” he told reporters at a tree-planting programme held in conjunction with the National-level International Day of Forests (IDF) Celebration at the Sook Lake Forest Reserve here recently.
More than 1,000 trees of various species were planted in a symbolic effort to strengthen the ecosystem, stabilise the climate and maintain the sustainability of the country’s economy.
The three-day programme, which ended on Sunday, was carried out in collaboration with local leaders, corporate partners, and students from SMK Sook and SMK TrusMadi.
Arthur said the Sook Lake Forest Reserve in the Pensiangan area had been chosen as the venue for the Interior Zone tree-planting programme held in conjunction with this year’s celebration.
The Pensiangan MP said this year’s celebration, themed “Forests and Economy”, aims to highlight green resources as a valuable alternative economic resource for communities, especially in rural areas, whether through ecotourism, sustainable forest products or sustainable agriculture.
“Tree-planting activities can also instill a love for the environment and are in line with the IDF celebration theme of ‘Forests and Economy’, which shows that forests are a good economic resource for communities, especially in rural areas.
“We can generate economic opportunities through the eco-tourism sector, wood products and the agricultural sector as well,” he said.
He hoped that programmes like this would further enhance awareness and promotion so that students, especially the local community, can appreciate the forests that exist today.
Earlier, Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Zulkifli Suara, when speaking at the programme, said the community, especially the younger generation, should take the opportunity to come together by making tree-planting activities a continuous practice and lifestyle for a prosperous and sustainable future.
He said such efforts can not only strengthen the ecosystem, but also help stabilise the climate, reduce the effects of climate change and ensure the country’s economic well-being.
Also participating in the programme were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin, and Director-General of the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department Datuk Zahari Ibrahim.
The programme was part of a corporate social responsibility initiative involving Amanah Lestari Alam (Alam), Kumpulan Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB), the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Petronas Foundation, Sime Darby Foundation and SD Guthrie.
