Free Entrance To KL Forest Eco Park In Conjunction With Three-day Malaysia Greening, KL Green Symphony Carnival

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Entrance to the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park (TERKL) is free from today until Monday in conjunction with the three-day Malaysia Greening and KL Green Symphony Carnival.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the carnival, organised by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM) and the Federal Territory Forestry Department (JPWP),  is held in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.

"Organising the carnival is one of the initiatives to encourage community involvement in preserving forest areas," he said when met by reporters after opening the programme here today.

Also present were the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Secretary-General Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim, Malaysian Waqaf Foundation (YWM) chief executive officer Dr Ridzwan Bakar and JPSM Director-General Datuk Zahari Ibrahim.

Nik Nazmi said TERKL has great potential for tree-planting initiatives and will be a key attraction, especially as Malaysia is set to chair ASEAN next year and with the Visit Malaysia Year in 2026.

The government, he said, is committed to maintaining at least 50 per cent of the country's land area with forests, in line with the country's commitment during the Earth Summit in Brazil in 1992.

 Malaysia remains steadfast in upholding its obligation to maintain its forested areas which cover an area of over 18.05 million hectares or 54.58% of the total land mass, he said.

He said Malaysia had also achieved a record planting of 99,483,068 trees at the national level through the Malaysia Greening Program: 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign which started in 2021 and aims to plant 100 million trees nationwide next year.

He said the government, through the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) and Yayasan Hijau Malaysia (YHM),  also provides tax deductions to entities that sponsor tree planting activities or environmental preservation and conservation awareness projects.

This is to encourage active involvement from the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the community and individuals, he added.

Earlier, Nik Nazmi witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Malaysian Forest Service Cash Endowment between YWM, represented by Ridzwan,  and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability,  represented by Ching.

Meanwhile, regarding the Malaysian Greening Carnival and the Rainforest Symphony, Zahari in his speech, said various activities, including demonstrations, would be held during the Malaysian Greening Carnival and the Rainforest Symphony.

They included tree planting,  photography competitions and Fun Run & Ride activities, as well as recreational activities and camping to encourage healthy physical activity in a natural environment.

"The Malaysian Greening Exhibition is also held to showcase the country's efforts in preserving green areas and the most interesting will be the Traditional Rainforest and Modern Acoustic musical performances that will entertain visitors while conveying the message of love for nature," he said.

-- BERNAMA