KUCHING: A hundred participants consisting of officials from local authorities (PBT), contractors and landscape enthusiasts attended a seminar entitled “Management of the City’s Trees “ at a hotel here yesterday.
The seminar is held to expose those involved in the management of trees in municipal areas to follow the best practices of arboriculture as well as to share knowledge, understanding and skills regarding procedures to manage, conserve, restore and maintain the trees, especially in city areas.
Gracing the ceremony was Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai.
Wahap in his opening remarks said 80,000 trees have been planted by DBKU in areas under its jurisdiction to maintain the greenery and beauty of the city.
“It includes trees in the garden, roadside and wild trees in reserve land and so on.
“Management and maintenance of these trees is important not only to ensure the trees preserved as best as possible in order to always look attractive but, also take into account the risks that may be brought by mature and large trees to the people and public properties.
“Therefore, this Seminar is one of DBKU’s initiatives toward that goal and our target is to plant 1,000 trees a year,” he said.
He added, planting a tree was indeed a very good effort but, if it is not maintained properly it will cause problems later on.
“Consequently, the efforts of preserving, conserving and maintaining those trees are worthwhile because the trees provide us with shade and supply us with oxygen.
“I am glad to share the best practices that have been carried out by DBKU in landscape management and maintenance of trees.
“The first practice, which is considered easy but for us it is very efficient in maintaining the greenery of Kuching is when we (DBKU) cut down a tree, we will replace it by replant another three trees.
“Whereas, through the Arbor Day, an annual event of DBKU, we will ensure a resident planted a tree,” he said.
“Apart from that, DBKU also look after trees professionally to ensure they are always look beautiful and do not pose as a safety risk to the public,” he said.
For that, he added, DBKU has an annual funds amounting to RM4 million a year to maintain 30 percent of the 80,000 trees in the city.
Wahap also hoped that through the seminar, it can help the participants to improve the quality standards in managing, preserving and maintaining the trees in their respective areas.
