IEM Tree-Planting Community Project at Taman Botani Negara, Shah Alam on 23 and 24.06.2012

The Young Engineers Section (YES) of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) organised a tree-planting project at Taman Botani Negara, Shah Alam on 23.06.2012 and 24.06.2012. The project was carried out in 2 stages: firstly by loosening the soil for planting and secondly by planting the trees. The event began at around 9.00a.m. on the 23.06.2012 and finished around 12.00p.m. on the same day. The second stage was completed the next day at around the same time. The event was launched and officiated by IEM Deputy President Choo Kok Beng, Shuhairy bin Norhisham -  Chairman of the Young Engineers Section and ENSEARCH Vice-President Ellias Saidin by planting the first out of the 190 trees sponsored by various individuals and organisations around the Klang Valley. KL Bar with some corporate/personal friends had sponsored 90 out of those 190 trees.

The 190 trees were planted with the assistance of 60 students from UNITEN (Universiti Tenaga Nasional) and UTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara), senior members of the IEM, YES Committee Members, graduate engineers, representatives from the KL Bar and various volunteers. This project is a continuation of various community projects undertaken by YES to contribute to society and nature.

The trees were planted along a 2km stretch of bicycle track near the entrance of Taman Botani Negara. The species of trees planted that day mainly consisted of endangered fruit trees and other wild species of local plants which face extinction from over-harvesting in the wild. The trees were purchased from ENSEARCH (Environmental Management & Research Association of Malaysia), a non-governmental organisation which aims to promote awareness of the environment in Malaysia.

Prepared by Nicole Chee Chai Kuan