SHAH ALAM: Local governments in Malaysia have been urged to establish their respective tree inventory and have in-house certified arborists in an effort to enhance tree management in municipalities.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said he admitted there were some local authorities, especially the district councils, facing financial challenges with tree maintenance due to it being costly.
"We are always looking for (solutions), either with strategic private sector partners and elected representatives.
"At the ministry-level, we will look at providing allocations to assist the local councils in taking care of the trees," he told reporters after attending the Green Urban Forum closing ceremony today.
It was held in conjunction with the National Landscape Day at Taman Tasik Shah Alam until June 2.
Currently, it is not compulsory for the local governments to set up tree inventories.
It is also common for them to outsource the services of arborists.
Earlier in his speech, Nga said street tree planting presents its own challenges such as maintenance and safety aspects, especially on huge trees that are susceptible to falling during bad weather.
"It is time that we rebrand efforts for urban greening beyond mere landscaping job to an impactful initiative that could help the country to achieve low-carbon, enhanced bio-diversity and liveability, apart from improving the wellbeing of urban dwellers by encouraging the public to walk and exercise."
At the event, Nga also launched a book titled '200 Malaysia's Native Trees for Street Planting' prepared by the National Landscape Department in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia.
He said trees aged over 100 years are living assets and the country's heritage, hence, need to be given utmost care.
Citing Taman Tasik Taiping raintrees, Nga said, each of them were insured as their market value reached millions of ringgit.
"Taiping Municipal Council also appointed experts from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) where the 'tree professor' would check them every three months, carry out pruning and give the trees vitamins so that they remain strong and healthy."
He said the book would be distributed to local governments as reference for street tree planting.
Among the species identified as roadside trees are Medang, Putat Air, Bunga Kelat Merah, Mata Ketam, Mendong, Beruas and Cempaka Hutan.
