KUALA SELANGOR - After the overwhelming response during the Tree Planting session on World Forestry Day at the Raja Musa Peat Swamps Forest Reserve, Global Environment Centre, together with the Selangor Forestry Department, organized yet another session for the enthusiastic volunteers and friends of the forests.

18th April 2009 saw 5,000 ‘macaranga’ seedlings planted over a vast area of peatlands in the forest reserve (approximately 10-13 hectares). These are more commonly known as the Mahang species, in layman terms. Almost 400 volunteers from diverse backgrounds turned up to continue their efforts in restoring this land which was once thriving with life and biodiversity.

The G.L.A.D team had also brought along 28 children from Rumah Juara and Rumah Kids, two homes with which they work closely with. Needless to say, the children were very excited to be a part of this cause. Some even brought along their own spades and boots, well equipped for the task that lay ahead. Other volunteers who participated were from various groups such as the Eco Warriors, ISKL, Garden International School, Malaysian Entrepreneurs, Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia, Soka Gakkai Organisation, and Yayasan Anak Warisan Alam.

After a hearty breakfast, all the volunteers dived right in to the swamps, braving the scorching heat and unknown territories that lay ahead. Armed with boots, caps, and a spirit to make a difference, they sowed their seeds of Love together with the Mahang seedlings, one by one; row by row. The commitment and determination to plant as many seedlings as possible could be seen just by watching them go on tirelessly. Along with planting new seedlings, the volunteers also removed weeds that were in the way, assessed the status of seedlings that had already been planted in earlier sessions, and replaced seedlings which did not survive. By noon, everyone was exhausted but fully content for being able to give back something to the land that sustains us all – our Earth.

It was delightful to see Malaysians from all walks of life joining hands and working together for a cause that affects us all – caring for our Environment. As trees were planted one after another in Raja Musa that day, each of us made a pledge to look after the source of our life, our Earth.

Global Environment Centre, the organizers of the event, is a non-profit organization in Malaysia which was established in 1998 in a bid to work on environmental issues of global importance. Working in partnership with other like minded agencies worldwide, the projects that GEC is involved in are undertaken particularly in developing countries, supporting capacity building and information exchange. The programmes that GEC is involved in are divided into three main areas, namely Integrated River Basin Management, Land use, Biodiversity and Climate change, and Capacity Building and Awareness.