By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
Photo: Noor Azreen Awang

PUCHONG, June 24 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), together with Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank), has planted 100 forest tree saplings in an effort to enhance forest conservation and future environmental well-being at the Sultan Idris Shah Forest Education Center (SISFEC), today.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Relations) UPM, Prof. Ir. Dr. B.T. Hang Tuah Baharudin, said the collaboration between UPM and external industries in raising awareness about tree planting helps restore the forest ecosystem, increase biodiversity, and provide a safe habitat for animals.

"As an educational institution with a Faculty of Forestry, UPM has the responsibility to provide education and to raise awareness about forest conservation to all parties, especially now that the country and the world are facing global warming.

"We need to save the earth and start with one action for the sake of future generations, which is the well-being of the environment for our children and grandchildren. I truly appreciate the collaborative initiative with EXIM Bank in the conservation and preservation of forests, our treasures," he said.

Meanwhile, the Forest Conservator of SISFEC UPM, Mohd Farhan Shahrin, said that although forest trees have a slow growth rate, they contribute significantly to the well-being of humans and the environment.

"We have also planted 40 national tree saplings, the Merbau species, as an effort to continue to protect this species from extinction. In addition, we have also planted five other species of forest trees, namely Merawan Siput Jantan, Kempas, Meranti Sarang Punai, Meranti Melantai, and Kelat.

"Forest trees do take a long time to mature and grow; however, if we start planting now, we are actually shortening the growth time of these plants because when the existing trees become old and are cut down, we already have the newly growing trees to replace them," he said.

He also explained that although the optimal time for planting forest trees was 20 years ago, the planting and actions taken today will still contribute to making the environment better for future generations.

Also present were the Director of UPM CiRNeT, Prof Dr. Shamsul Bahri Md Tamrin, and the President of EXIM Bank, Arshad Ismail -UPM

Date of Input: 26/06/2023 | Updated: 27/06/2023 | hairul_nizam