The State Forestry Department offers opportunities for corporate and individual companies to jointly preserve forest reserves through the ‘Perak Oxygen Land Bank’ program to be introduced soon.
Its director, Datuk Mohamed Zin Yusop, said the ‘adopt-a-tree’ concept was the department’s initiative in boosting recovery activities and improving the quality of forest resources.
“The Chikus Forest Reserve contains a total of 71.5 hectares of multi-level forest demonstrations square selected on this program, as well as Forest Reserves but the area will be determined by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).
“The 2,533.76 hectare forest located in Bidor is the only low forest reserve in Perak and 44 species of trees will be sold in phases on this program,” he said.
He said this at a press conference at the Perak State Forestry Department’s Aidilfitri Ceremony at Taman Eko Rimba Kledang Sayong, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu here yesterday.
According to him, a tree planted in a forest reserve can be purchased for RM5,000.
“Participants receive various benefits including receiving tax breaks besides naming names on signage trees and receiving free eco-park facilities.
“The first introduced program will contribute new revenue to the state government and encourage learning and research activities related to forestry,” he said.
He said the foster program was expected to be launched by Ahmad Faizal at least this September.
Source: Sinar