Kuching, Friday, July 2, 2010 - Sarawak Forestry Corporation in collaboration with the World 17th Interhash 2010 held a tree planting exercise as part of the Trees for Life Community Project today. Initiated on July 7, 2007 in Sama Jaya Forest Park, the Trees for Life Community Project is a joint project by SARAWAK FORESTRY and Malaysian Nature Society, aimed at encouraging active public participation and involvement in conservation and promoting awareness of the full potential of Sama Jaya Forest Park.

Officiating at the event, Dato Sri Dr. James Jemut Masing, Minister of Land Development said, "The task of environment protection is the responsibility of all. I think it is extremely important for all of us here to not only take a keen interest in the cause of environmental protection, but also ‘walk the talk’, for example, by planting new trees. In this way, we will be making an important gesture in demonstrating our concern to the world and at the same time making our own little but significant contribution to the cause.’  

“Sarawak State Government has, for many decades adopted the overall philosophy of giving top priority to preserving our natural surroundings as the cornerstone of environmental protection and Sarawak has long ago established a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to protect its environment and thus, been regarded as a model state in Malaysia and other parts of the world in its environmental protection.” he added.

Masing reiterated that the State Government is serious about conservation and environmental protection and its efforts to strive for better environment conservation and protection will never diminish. He called on the participants of the World 17th Interhash 2010 to become Sarawak’s ambassadors in providing the right information about conservation efforts done in Sarawak when they are back in their own countries.

Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Planning and Resource Management and Director of Forests applauded the noble idea of the World 17th Interhash 2010 by integrating fun while doing something noble by planting 450 trees in the Sama Jaya Forest Park.  His speech was read by Wilfred Landong, General Manager of Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation, SARAWAK FORESTRY.

“Tree planting is for everyone. By participating in the Trees for Life program, you are given a chance to buy your own tree and plant it yourself. There is a special kind of connection when you plant something that lives!” said Len Talif, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of SARAWAK FORESTRY. 

“We work hard to provide financial security for our families. We are able to achieve the comforts we have today through our hard work. But there are other securities we should also invest in – the security of our future generations, the security of our environment and the kind of place we want to create and leave behind. Trees for Life Community Project is your green investment and green insurance for the future” added Len Talif. 

Through the Trees for Life Community Project, 450 trees were planted in Sama Jaya Forest Park, with species including Menggris, Rhu Laut and Rhu Bukit, as well as interesting wild fruit trees such as Pudau, Terap and Pelai. The main thrust of the Trees for Life Community Project is community participation through its three specific objectives, namely increasing awareness and understanding of the conservation value of this nature reserve; testing and demonstrating innovative approaches to promote the involvement of the urban community in nature conservation and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on the rehabilitation of degraded areas through tree-planting; and establishing a model for community participation in nature conservation and sustainable development in an urban setting, to serve as a model for other urban areas.