BKSA implements forest restoration around Durian Tunggal Dam - Sulaiman

ALOR GAJAH, Feb 27 -- The Melaka Water Regulatory Authority (BKSA) has been actively implementing a forest restoration project on 11 sites, involving 23.24 hectares, in the former illegal encroachment areas around the Durian Tunggal Dam.

Melaka Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, said among the steps that have been taken are clearing oil palm trees around the dam to ensure a safe water supply, and protecting the catchment area for the benefit of people in the state.

“The encroachment into the dam area was for agricultural activities and had various effects… for example, water pollution, especially when using pesticides and fertilisers which are eventually channelled into the catchment area.

“Forest trees will also be planted on the affected sites under the forest restoration project, involving 50 hectares, through the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM) this year, to ensure environmental sustainability (in the area and dam),” he told reporters here today.

Earlier, he officiated at the Petronas Walk4trees Tree-Planting programme in Kampung Ayer Pasir, which was also attended by Yayasan Petronas chief executive officer, Shariah Nelly Francis, and Global Environment Centre (GEC) director, Faizal Parish.

At the event, Yayasan Petronas donated 2,000 trees, comprising six species such as meranti, sengkawang merah, kasai, kelat paya, keruing neram and tenggek burung .

These species are selected, based on a study conducted by GEC, to ensure the plants’ suitability for being planted on the banks of the dam, their water content and the size of mature trees.

Sulaiman also said that the Melaka government welcomed the efforts, in line with the aspirations of the national agenda (the Greening Malaysia agenda), to implement the 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign 2020-2025, as well as to make Melaka a sustainable green state.

-- BERNAMA