RAUB: The Pahang Forestry Department has replanted 2,000 forest and fruit tree saplings of various species in an area covering eight hectares at the Batu Talam permanent forest reserve.

       Its deputy director (development) Datuk Samsu Anuar Nawi said Meranti Temak Nipis, Merawan Siput Jantan, Beruas and Sentul were among the species planted with help of over 130 volunteers from 23 NGOs.

       The programme is part of the Five Million Trees @ Pahang Planting campaign aimed at re-greening deforested areas.

       “The planting area was divided into 38 lots with each NGO acting as a foster parent for the trees and monitoring their growth.

       “Besides Batu Talam, the programme will be expanded to other places that need rehabilitation and conservation such as Tasik Chini and coastal areas in the Pekan district with erosion problems,” he told reporters yesterday.

       Samsu Anuar said the department welcomed the support of more NGOs in the various rehabilitation programmes in Pahang.

       A 65-year-old retiree, P. Kanjanahmalar, from Air Putih, Kuantan, described her involvement with six other members of the Malaysian Nature Society in the programme as “our contribution to future generations.”

       “We know that forests are important to prevent natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and particularly in hilly areas like the Batu Talam permanent forest reserve.

       “Hopefully, the newly-planted trees will survive and the forest reserve will be restored,” she added.

       Also taking part in the programme were seven members of the Pahang Kelana Scout Council, with its chairman Asmawi Sulaiman saying that the team left Kuantan on Friday night so that participants could attend the early morning briefing.

       “We will always support the state government’s efforts to replant the forests,” he added. — Bernama