Forest Research Institute Malaysia : Earth Day = Tree planting day (.my)

FRIM celebrated Earth Day this year by inviting members of the public to join as Friends of FRIM and plant trees at the site of the Bukit Hari Experimental Plot along with participants with corporate sector and media members.

The FRIM DG Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod (fift from left) and other participants listening to FRIM Forest Ranger Amir Sabri Baharom, (middle) giving instruction on the right way of planting the sapling

About 60 participants took part in planting 200 seedlings Meranti Temak Nipis (Shorea roxburghii) in Field 53 of the Bukit Hari Experimental Site in FRIM, Kepong. They included 21 employees of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and 15 representatives from Baker Hughes Drilling Systems, some members of the public and media.

“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than planting trees to green the earth. The benefits and services provided by forests and trees for all of us are invaluable including providing oxygen, absorbing carbon, preventing floods,” said FRIM Corporate Management Head, Puan Norhayati Nordin.

She said the FRIM Tree Planting Programme which was initiated since 2009 provides opportunity for the corporate sector to join FRIM in its forest and environment conservation efforts. In 2011, more than 2,400 trees were planted through this programme with contribution of more than RM150,000 from 16 companies.

The selection of tree species for planting depends on the suitability of the location. According to the FRIM Forest Plantation Programme Head, Dr Ahmad Zuhaidi Yahya, Meranti Temak Nipis is categorised by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as “endangered” as it faces a very high risk for extinction in the near future.

This species, grouped classified under the family Dipterocarpaceae, are commonly found in Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Burmese, Thailand and Vietnam. In Malaysia, its natural distribution covers Langkawi, Perlis and some places in Kedah.

The timber is categorised as White Meranti Group and can be used for a wide range of products including outdoor furniture and house construction. It is a moderately hard to heavy general utility wood that is durable, and seasons and preserves well.

This species is known to be able to withstand adverse climatic conditions and soil types, and it also seems to be resistant to drought and fire compared to most dipterocarps and therefore, it may be useful for reforestation work.

FRIM Director General Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod also participated in the programme. The delegation from Baker Hughes was headed by Managers for SEA, Russell Greig and Ed Ashton, and Manager for Malaysia, Wong Kam Seng, while the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre team was led by its Deputy General Manager, Alan Pryor.

http://www.frim.gov.my/

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