2 000 Forest Trees Replanted At Illegal Musang King Farms

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More than 130 volunteers from 23 groups took part in the replanting programme at Batu Talam permanent forest reserve. (Bernama pic)RAUB: The Pahang forestry department has replanted 2,000 forest and fruit tree saplings of various species in an area covering eight hectares at the Batu Talam permanent forest reserve previously occupied by illegal Musang King durian farms.
The department’s deputy director, Samsu Anuar Nawi, said among the trees planted were Meranti Temak Nipis, Merawan Siput Jantan, Beruas and Sentul.
More than 130 volunteers from 23 civil society groups took part in the replanting programme, part of the Five Million Trees campaign to re-green deforested areas in the state.
“For today, the planting area is divided into 38 lots with each NGO acting as a foster parent to the planted trees so they can return to see their growth. Besides Batu Talam, the programme will be expanded to other places that need rehabilitation and conservation such as Tasik Chini and coastal areas in Pekan district that face erosion,” he told reporters today.
Samsu Anuar said more NGOs would be welcome to get involved in various forest rehabilitation programmes in Pahang.
One of the volunteers was government pensioner P Kanjanahmalar, 65, who lives in Air Putih, Kuantan. She described her involvement with the other six members of the Malaysian Nature Society in the programme as their legacy to future generations.
“We know that forests are important to prevent natural disasters such as floods and landslides, especially in hilly areas such as the Batu Talam permanent forest reserve.
“Hopefully the trees that are planted will survive and the forest reserve will return to the way it was,” she added.
Also taking part in the programme were seven members of the Pahang Kelana Scout Council. - FMT

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