HIKERS Roundtable, actively involved in the ‘Planting One Million Trees Within a Day in conjunction with Earth Day’ programme yesterday, made a significant contribution by planting 2,000 trees during the event.
Tony Leng, the president of the Hikers Roundtable, an alliance of outdoor recreation groups, described the programme as ‘timely.’
He said Hikers Roundtable mobilised 270 volunteers for the initiative, showcasing the collective effort and commitment towards environmental conservation.
They were very grateful for the excellent cooperation with multiple agencies, volunteers and partners, including the Penang National Security Council, St John Ambulance Penang, CIMB Islamic, The Habitat Foundation and MAPAN.
“The planting of one million trees programme resonates deeply with the core values of Hikers Roundtable.
“This powerful programme highlights the interdependency of nature and humans: when one is enhanced, the other benefits.
“What’s more, it underscores the fact that a better ecosystem will improve our quality of life.
“When a few government agencies (such as Penang Hill Corporation, Penang Forestry Department, Penang Botanic Garden) and private land owners approached Hikers Roundtable for collaboration on this enlightened programme, we jumped at it.
“All the outdoor groups and volunteers of all ages have gained new insights into sustainability and conservation,” Leng said.
He noted that they were fortunate to have experienced sporadic rain leading up to Earth Day which aided the growth of the plants. They planted Shorea/Meranti saplings at various locations on Penang Hill.
Although it was a challenging programme due to its scale, Leng said Hikers Roundtable would not hesitate to undertake such endeavours again.
FMM Penang Branch also played a pivotal role in making the event a grand success by contributing both manpower and tree sponsorship.
L.H. Tan, a committee member of the FMM Penang Branch, said they were honoured to be a part of the historic Earth Day event at Penang Hill.
“Through the dedication and generosity of FMM and its members, a remarkable 20,000 Meranti forest trees were contributed, marking a historic milestone in our conservation efforts.
“I am delighted to report that over 80 staff members from FMM and participating member companies enthusiastically joined hands in planting approximately 3,000 Meranti trees at Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill).
“This collective effort not only enhances the natural beauty of our surroundings but also reaffirms our commitment to environmental sustainability. Together, we are making a tangible difference in preserving our planet for generations to come,” said Tan, the organising chairperson for the FMM Yayasan Amal TYT Tree Planting event.
Lions Club of George Town also rose to the occasion by partnering with Penang Hill Corporation in the ‘‘Planting One Million Trees Within a Day in conjunction with Earth Day’ programme.
They planted Pinang trees, a symbol of the state, near the ❤️ Penang Hill signage that the club sponsored and built as part of their 60th anniversary commemorative project in January this year.
“The sign is already a hit with tourists wanting an Instagramable experience. The Pinang trees will further add to the total experience of Love Penang Hill,” said Datuk Jimmy Ong, a member of the board of directors of Lions Club of George Town.
Penang Hill Corporation, in collaboration with several other parties, successfully achieved a total of 6,293 trees planted by all participants.
Penang entered the Malaysia Book of Records after more than one million trees were planted across the state to mark Earth Day yesterday. The initiative was a brainchild of Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
Yayasan Amal Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Rozali Mahmud, who was presented the award certificate by MBOR chief operating officer Christopher Wong last night, said as of 5.30pm yesterday, they successfully planted a total of 1,251,512 trees.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Hikers Roundtable, Penang Hill Corporation and Penang National Security Council