JOGGERS and volunteers are aiming to rehabilitate Bukit Gasing by planting more trees next month, after a fire raged through parts of the hill in May.
The team, which comprises representatives of the Association of Backpackers Malaysia (ABM), Kiwanis Pandan Jaya, Junior Chamber International Malaysia, Friends of Bukit Gasing, Sai Baba SS3 and SS3 Residents Association, embarked on the programme last weekend.
Keeping weeds at bay: ABM member Eric Foong removing the shrubs and weeds around the newly-planted palm tree. The group trekked to the affected spot and began clearing weeds and shrubs which were obstructing the regrowth of the burnt trees.
“The trees, which were destroyed during the fire, have started to sprout new shoots. It will take a long time for them to grow to their original size again, but it is good to see such positive signs,” said Kiwanis Pandan Jaya president Ho Wah Ying.
Ho said the team would not clear all the weeds and creepers from the area as they would help prevent erosion. Instead, they will be removing only those obstructing the growth of the newly-sprouted trees.
Some other members of the team tagged the trees with numbers and recorded the circumference of each tree so that they could chart their progress from time to time.
“We want to see how much the trees have grown when we come back the next time,” Ho added.
Besides taking down notes and clearing the area, representatives of the group also planted three Neem trees and a palm tree to signify the start of the programme.
According to ABM president Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou, more than a hundred trees of various species, including Cengal, Jelutong, Petaling and Tualang, will be planted on the hill from next month.
“We want to plant good, strong trees in the area,” said Wong, who had suggested the list of species to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
He added that it would take several years for such trees to mature.
“There was a similar forest fire 12 years ago, and we came here to plant trees after the incident.
“I can recognise some of those trees and they have not grown much,” said Wong, who hoped there would be better enforcement in the forest area to prevent the recurrence of fire.
He said he had also suggested to the MBPJ to construct an observation deck at the top of the hill where trekkers and joggers could gather and admire the beauty of the lush forest in the city.
“The observation deck will benefit many people as they will not only be able to see the scenery of PJ and KL but also act as a watchdog for the council in preventing people from destroying the natural beauty here,” he said.
The replanting and rehabilitation programme will begin in October and once completed, the area will be cordoned off to prevent intruders from destroying and stealing the trees.
Four months ago, fire ravaged 2.02ha of the forest reserve, resulting in many trees being badly burnt as the Fire and Rescue Services personnel could not do much as there was no hydrant at the top of the ridge.
While the cause of the fire could not be determined, Wong said it might have been caused by illegal squatters and drug addicts making their home on parts of the hill.
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