1,000 high-value saplings planted at Sabal Forest Reserve

KUCHING: A total of 1,000 saplings of high-value indigenous species such as belian and meranti have been planted in September at the Sabal Forest Reserve.

The planting programme was organised by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), displaying the commitment of both parties towards nature positive initiatives.

“SBC embarked on biodiversity restoration efforts together with FDS at Sabal Forest Reserve in June 2023 with the planting of 1,000 saplings, followed by another 1,500 samplings in September of the same year,” FDS said in a press release.

FDS added the event is beyond just planting trees; it focuses on supporting the Sarawak’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives and driving the ‘Green Sarawak Campaign’ led by FDS.

“The campaign, which was launched back in 2021, is in line with the national ‘Greening Malaysia Campaign 2021’ – aiming to plant up to 100,000,000 trees nationwide.

“Every sapling planted contributes to reforestation and biodiversity restoration and currently, Sarawak leads all Malaysian states, with over 35,000,000 trees planted,” FDS added.

The programme was also attended by Datuk Dr Yeo Tiong Chia, chief executive officer of SFC; while FDS represented by Wan Abdul Khaliq Wan Aju, engineer of Restoration and Industrial Forest Division.