Sarawak recognized MBOR, planted 31,260 trees

KUCHING, 15 Sept.: The Sarawak Forest Department recorded a historic achievement when it was included in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) by planting 31,260 tree trunks from 82 native species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List (IUCN) in Sabal Reserve Forest within one year.

Sarawak Forest Director Datu Hamden Mohammad said the success reflects the department's commitment to restoring degraded forest areas and continuously preserving the state's biodiversity.

"Forest restoration efforts in Sabal Reserve Forest have set a Malaysian Book of Records record when 31,260 trees from 82 native species listed on the IUCN Red List were successfully planted within one year.

"This achievement demonstrates the continued commitment of the Sarawak Forest Department to restoring ecosystems and conserving biodiversity in Sarawak", he said at the Sarawak Forest Department Emergency Service Awards 2025 and 2026 Award Winners Council here, on Tuesday.

In terms of state greening, Hamden told Sarawak that it continues to pursue the ecosystem restoration agenda through Malaysia's Greening Campaign as it has recorded a cumulative planting of 60,709,670 trees so far.

"This achievement reflects Sarawak's commitment to expanding green areas, restoring ecosystems and ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations", he said.

He added, the state's environmental conservation efforts also gained international recognition when the Sarawak Forest Department through the Greening Sarawak Campaign was selected as a recipient of ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) Awards hosted by ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity in Manila, Philippines.

"This award is in recognition of the ongoing commitment and efforts to implement local species tree planting as well as restoration and restoration of ecosystems, thus reflecting Sarawak's seriousness in supporting the environmental sustainability agenda and biodiversity conservation at regional level", he said.

At the local level, Sarawak Forest Department also celebrated Government Agency Category Gold Award in Landscape Competition alongside Kuching Light & Floral Festival 2026 organized by North Kuching City Council (DBKU) last August with designs highlighting iconic elements of flora and fauna of Sarawak. - TVS