SRI AMAN: Sarawak remains committed to maintaining 62 per cent of its land area, or 7.65 million hectares, under forest cover through a range of conservation initiatives, including the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) programme and tree-planting activities in schools.
Deputy director of the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) Semilan Ripot said the initiatives are aimed at instilling environmental awareness among schoolchildren from a young age, encouraging them to play a role in preserving the state’s forests for future generations.
“Every tree planted today is a long-term investment towards ensuring Sarawak’s forests continue to be protected for a more sustainable future,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Forestry Department’s CEPA and Tree Planting Programme here on Wednesday (Aug 5) as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Semilan said exposing pupils to conservation activities also helps nurture environmentally responsible habits, including avoiding littering, reducing plastic use and taking part in tree-planting efforts.
“Forests serve as an important ecological safeguard by providing vital ecosystem services such as water catchment areas, erosion control and biodiversity conservation,” he said.
The programme involved 71 pupils from SK Gran/Stumbin, comprising 35 Year Six pupils, 32 Year Five pupils and four Level Two pupils from the school’s Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI).
The initiative forms part of the Sarawak Forest Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental education while encouraging greater public participation in forest conservation.
