Manulife, Roots & Shoots to Restore Wang Kelian Heritage Trail

 KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) – Roots & Shoots Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation, has teamed up with Manulife Malaysia to rejuvenate the ‘Heritage Trail' (Denai Warisan) in Wang Kelian, Perlis, transforming it into a hub for ecotourism and environmental conservation.

Roots & Shoots Malaysia's Outreach and Education Head, who is also the project director, Peter Ong, said with Manulife's involvement, various impactful initiatives will be implemented over the next three years, including biodiversity surveys, trail restoration, and zoning of flora and fauna along the trail.

Additionally, Ong said several programmes would be introduced to benefit the local community, including skill development in trail construction, business knowledge workshops, and financial literacy training. These efforts aim to position the ecotourism project as a sustainable source of income.

 “This six-kilometre (km) Heritage Trail was originally used by the residents of Wang Kelian and Kaki Bukit for daily activities such as sourcing food, prior to the development of road systems.

“Now, the trail, which has fallen out of use, is being redeveloped into a nature trail to attract tourists,” Ong said after the signing of a collaboration agreement between Roots & Shoots and Manulife here today.

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He explained that the redeveloped trail spans a distance of 10 km, offering visitors breathtaking views of rivers, limestone formations, caves, tropical rainforests, and the town of Kaki Bukit.

Meanwhile, Group Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Holdings Berhad Vibha Coburn, said the partnership not only empowers the local community but also ensures the preservation of the area's natural heritage.

 “This initiative, launched alongside Manulife Malaysia's flagship programme, Environmental and Biodiversity Preservation, seeks to engage our customers, employees, and environmental advocates. It aims to promote biodiversity conservation while enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the local community,” she added.

-- BERNAMA