FRIM, universities, Felda settlers green the corridor of Pasoh forest
Mohamed Nor planting a tree at the launching of the programme.
20 September 2012 (Thursday) – The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Hiroshima University and Felda Pasoh settlements have jointly planted yesterday some 250 trees in an oil palm plantation near the Pasoh Forest Reserve (FR) in Negeri Sembilan to develop a green corridor linking the FR with other nearby forests.
The development of the green corridor is one of the research and development (R&D) initiatives undertaken by FRIM and its partners to conserve the genetic resources of these forests.
The FRIM Deputy DG signing the commemorative plaque while other VIP guests look on.
The Sg. Petekah Green Corridor Tree Planting Programme was a continuation of the gotong-royong efforts carried out in 2003 and 2004 through the Project on ‘Conservation of the Pasoh Natural Resources’, which saw the planting of 411 trees such as gapis, merbau, sepetir and wild fruit trees such as tampoi, rambutan and sukun covering 1.4 km along Sg. Petekah.
The earlier tree planting activities had also involved Felda Pasoh settlers, students from SMK Pasoh 2, as well as FRIM staff and representatives from Japanese agencies.
Some participants taking a break after planting the trees.
The target of the tree planting programme on 19 September was to extend the green corridor by another kilometre through planting of trees from species commonly found in the area.
Over 200 participants joined the programme including community representatives of FELDA Pasoh Dua and Felda Pasoh Tiga; pupils from SK Pasoh 2; students from SMK students Pasoh 2, UPM and University of Hiroshima; FRIM researchers as well as support staff from the FRIM Research Station (SPF) in Pasoh.
A photograph of all the organisers, participants and guests at the end of the programme.
The programme received financial support from Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. and donation from Tatsushi Sugimoto, a Japanese officer who was involved in the R&D of Pasoh FR and the planting efforts of 2003 and 2004.
FRIM Deputy Director General (DG) Dr Mohamed Nor Mohd Yusoff officiated the programme, which was also attended by the State Forestry Director, Mohd Fadzil Abdul Majid, President of Hiroshima University, Prof. Dr Tetsuji Okamoto, Dean of the UPM Forestry Faculty, Prof. Datin Dr Faridah Hanum, FELDA Wilayah Raja Alias General Manager, Izham Mustafa, Felda Pasoh Dua Manager, Wan Draman Omar, and Kobelco Executive Officer, Miki Takeshi.
Since the early 1970′s, the Pasoh FR has attracted many researchers especially from overseas to conduct collaborative research on biodiversity, sustainable management of tropical forests and the role of tropical forests as carbon sinks.
In an effort to enhance knowledge and scientific understanding of the management of tropical forest biodiversity and ecosystems, FRIM has established collaborations with the Japan International Corporation Agencies (JICA) and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in 2001 to carry out various R&D projects in Pasoh.
Subsequently, the development of the green corridor was proposed to link the Pasoh FR with other FRs such as Serting Kenaboi, Triang and Kemasul, which were fragmented as a result of development activities.
