THE Penang government envisions transforming the state into a ‘sponge city’ amid rapid development, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
A sponge city is an urban area rich in natural or green features that can absorb water during flooding.
According to Chow, the Penang Structure Plan 2030 (RSNPP) specifically focuses on two areas, namely identifying potential forest reserves and peat swamp forests.
This is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to preserve the forest ecosystem and ensure environmental sustainability for the future.
“Parked under the Penang Green Agenda 2030, the Penang government is on a mission to identify potential peat swamp forests, covering at least 1,619.22 acres, for gazetting as permanent forest reserves under the National Forestry Act 1984.
“In line with this objective, a total of 449.12 hectares of peat swamp forests have been identified in the southwest district of the island.
“These efforts are being taken to complement the state’s vision of becoming a sponge city that prioritises environmental protection and sustainable resource management,” Chow (PH – Padang Kota) said during the tabling of the Penang 2025 Budget at the State Legislative Assembly Sitting at the State Assembly Building in Light Street today.
Chow also highlighted that Penang has a total of 7,245.25 hectares of forested land. Of this, 6,063.25 hectares are designated as permanent forest reserves, while the remaining 1,182 hectares make up the Penang National Park.
“The area of permanent forest reserves in Penang has increased by 18.8% compared to 2019, from 5,100.93 hectares to 6,063.25 hectares in 2024,” he added.
Given Penang’s increased permanent forest reserves, the Federal Government has distributed RM5.2 million to the state under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity (EFT) as of November this year.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud