Tree Planting at Bukit Kiara

The tree planting event at Bukit Kiara was jointly organised by the National Landscape Dept, office of the KL City Mayor and the Institute of Landscape Architects with the cooperation of Friends of Bukit Kiara, TTDI Resident Association and YAWA in the effort to conserve the area as a green lung. The Event was held on Sunday February 15, 2009. It is part of the National Tree-Planting Campaign initiated in 1997 by YAbhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad with the aim of inculcating awareness amongst the communities on conserving our trees and forests that is so critical in reducing global warming.


2. The Bukit Kiara is quite rich in its fauna and flora and is a popular recreational destination among the residents around the area. Its undulating topography offers a challenge to both bikers and trekkers. During week-ends and public holidays the place is thronged with joggers and bikers.

3. The Event was officiated by YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the PM accompanied by YABhg Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Chairperson of the Malaysian Landscape Advisory Panel. Among the dignataries include a Minister, the Federal Secretary, officials of the City, corporate leaders, representatives of NGOs and residents. In his speech, among other things, he was heartened to see a good turnout on a Sunday morning and encouraged tree planting to be undertaken. He advocated the conservation and protection of more green lungs within urban areas and added that 'it is our responsibilty to sustain and care about our natural heritage, not only as our nation's pride, but most importantly for future generations to come. The effort which has been carried out nationwide to green our country by planting trees aand our national flower - the Bunga Raya, with a ssystematic plan, shows our commitment and initiative towards enriching our natural heritage'.

4. Among the organisations that have staunchly been involved with the National Tree-Planting Campaign are the Malaysian Nature Society. The Society was represented at the Event by its President, Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor and the two VPs, Dr. Hashim A. Wahab and Jeffrey Phang.

5. The National Tree-Panting Campaign encourages private citizens and corporations to participate and contribute in the program by contributing RM 60 a tree that goes for the cost of the seedling, handling and maintenance for three years. Each contributor to the Campaign will receive a commemorative inscription with his name tied on the tree and this will be registered.

6. The tree planting program at Bukit Kiara Forest is symbolic of the serious effort on the part of the Govt to conserve the area as the KL Green Lung (KLGL). The remaining KLGL areas are at Bukit Tunku, Bukit Persekutuan, Bukit Gasing, Bukit Sg. Puteh and the parks and there is considerable pressure to develop these areas. However, the total green lung areas in Kuala Lumpur is inadequate for healthy, comfortable and happy living. It has been reported that the appropriate green area to population ratio for urban living is 2 ha: 1 000 citizens. For KL it is 0.6 ha and, according to plan, the population density will increase further. Regular flash floods and traffic congestion are common. With so much of land in the other states, do we need to continue permitting development and population growth in KL and Klang Valley?