Cahya Mata Sarawak partners with Forest Dept, SBC in tree-planting initiative to restore biodiversity

KUCHING (Oct 3): Cahya Mata Sarawak has teamed up with the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) in a tree-planting initiative, showcasing their joint commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity restoration.

Held at the Sabal Forest Reserve recently, the event saw 1,000 saplings of high-value indigenous species such as belian and meranti being planted by 80 participants, comprising FDS and SBC staff, interns, and members of the Sabal community.

“This collaborative effort builds upon a previous biodiversity restoration project led by SBC and FDS that began in June 2023. Since then, a total of 2,500 saplings have been planted in the area, with 1,000 saplings planted in June, followed by an additional 1,500 saplings in September of the same year,” added a statement by FDS yesterday.

It added that the tree-planting event is part of a broader mission to support Sarawak’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, as well as to contribute to the ‘Green Sarawak Campaign’, spearheaded by FDS.

FDS said the campaign, launched in 2021, is aligned with the ‘Greening Malaysia Campaign 2021’, which aims to plant 100 million trees across the country. Sarawak currently leads the nation in this effort, having planted over 35 million trees so far.

“The programme not only emphasises reforestation but also biodiversity restoration, a critical component of Sarawak’s sustainable development strategy,” it said.

Also present were Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Dato Dr Yeo Tiong Chia and FDS’ Restoration and Industrial Forest Division engineer Wan Abdul Khaliq Wan Aju.