Petronas to create new ‘green lung’ in Bintulu

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(From left) UPM Bintulu Campus’ University Agriculture Park and Development director Dr Ong Kian Huat, DoE deputy director-general Ismail Ithnin, Jack, Morris, BDA general manager Rodziah Morshidi, and DoE Sarawak director Mohd Hidzir Bakar gather at the launch of ‘Trees4Life’ in Bintulu.

BINTULU: Petronas Carigali Sarawak Gas (SK Gas) will collaborate with Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus to transform Nyabau Hill here into a new ‘green lung’.

Under this collaboration, some 3,000 ‘Merawan Siput Jantan’ (Hopea Odorata) trees will be planted on a three-hectare plot at the Nyabau Hill public park, from this year until 2020.

The initiative, known as ‘Trees4Life’ programme, was launched by Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat at the public park yesterday.

Around 200 people including management and staff of Petronas, BDA, UPM Bintulu, Department of Enviroment (DoE), Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Forest Department of Sarawak, and Bintulu Resident’s Office attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Petronas Carigali Sarawak Gas head Morris Mail said environmental conservation is a key pillar of Petronas’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and the ‘Trees4Life’ is implemented to support that CSR pillar.

“The Trees4Life programme will address the problem of deforestation in the city area.

It is also aimed at creating awareness of environmental issues, especially on climate change, which has become one of the greatest challenges facing our world today.

“We hope the programme would enhance public awareness of environmental conservation and promote collaboration between Petronas and its stakeholders, including relevant government agencies, educational institutions and NGOs (non-governmental organisations),” he said.

Petronas carries out various major environmental conservation projects in Sarawak including the RM12-million Biodiversity, Environmental and Conservation (Beacon) project at Similajau National Park here, RM8-million Petronas-Sarawak Forestry eco-marine project at Sibuti,
RM10-million Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri, RM35-million Miri Shoreline Protection project, as well as the recent planting of 40 trees at 40 different locations by Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd in conjunction with its 40th anniversary celebration. — Bernama