On 12th of December 2021, students from the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FSKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) participated in a community service activity jointly organized by Nestlé Malaysia, FSKM UiTM Shah Alam, and The University of Nottingham Malaysia. UiTM’s very own Nestlé YOUth Influencer, Aida Nasuha binti Roslan from the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Actuarial Science programme, FSKM was in charge of this activity. Over 50 participants from both universities gathered at Taman Paya Bakau in Kampung Sijangkang, to plant around 250 mangrove trees. This activity is in line with Nestlé’s goal of planting three million trees in the next three years through the RELeaf Project.
YOUth Tree Planting was also the first physical activity held after the Covid-19 pandemic where participants were able to contribute to nature while enjoying the outdoors. The tree planting activity aims to realize the reforestation initiative in Malaysia as part of Nestlé global’s promise to achieve Zero Net Greenhouse Emissions by 2050.
The participants also had the chance to join a nature walk around Taman Paya Bakau and Tree Planting Picture Challenge. 10 groups from both universities were formed and participated in the Tree Planting Picture Challenge in which UiTM participants managed to snag 1st, 2nd and 4th place. By posting the photos on their own social media, this challenge alone is believe to have been able to increase public awareness on the importance of restoring nature.
The tree planting activity corresponded to the 13th and 15th sustainable development goals (SDGs), climate action and life on land respectively, for achieving a better and sustainable future.
“Our goal is not to compensate for the emissions, but to actually implement nature-based solutions as part of our commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Planting trees not only helps to capture carbon, but it also helps to rebuild forests and communities, safeguard vulnerable and endangered biodiversity, improve soil nutrients, and conserve water, all of which help farmers become more resilient,” said Magdi Batato, Executive Vice President, Head of Operations at Nestlé.
As of December 2021, around 2 million trees have been planted, where another 1 million trees are set to be planted across 1,200 hectares of riparian zones and steep slope areas within Sime Darby Plantation (SDP)’s oil palm operation areas.
UiTM will strive to expand its reforestation efforts to other regions, with an emphasis on locating areas that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Now, it is time for YOU to restore the environment through the upcoming YOUth Tree Planting activity.