SERDANG: Ekspres Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB), the operator of the airport express to KL International Airport, has made the journey to the airport even greener by joining hands with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to reforest the portion of the ERL corridor that passes through UPM.
In a ceremony here on Wednesday (Oct 23), Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad witnessed the planting of 60 merawan siput jantan (Hopea odorata, also known as chengal pasir or ironwood) along the ERL alignment near UPM's Bukit Ekspo.
Nik Nazmi was accompanied by UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, ERLSB CEO Noormah Mohd Noor, and Assoc Prof Dr Siti Zaharah Sakimin, director of UPM's Putra Agriculture Centre.
In the collaboration, the seedlings supplied by UPM will also be maintained by UPM for three years after planting.
This tree growing effort will not be one of those typical "plant and forget" activities, as effort will be made to calculate the actual amount of carbon sequestered by the trees through lab analysis.
Other than tree planting, the collaboration also entails the supply of a fertigation system capable of supporting 1,000 chili plants (Capsicum annuum) to contribute towards food security.
At the event, ERLSB also launched its GoGreen Ekspres ERL, its SESG framework, which it defines as encompassing safety, environment, as well as social and governance aspects.
"GoGreen Ekspres lists ERLSB's commitment towards safety, sustainable growth, care for the environment, transparent governance, and our corporate social responsibilities as we strive for nett-zero (carbon emissions) by 2050," said Noormah, who added ERLSB's initiatives is also detailed in a new microsite called GoGreen Ekspres.
"This effort is in line with the ministry's campaign to plant 100 million trees, and we are proud to be part of this initiative.
"In the same vein, we want to encourage more Malaysians to use rail services to reach KLIA as it also contributes to a net-zero future," she said in her speech.
Nik Nazmi expressed his appreciation to ERLSB and UPM for their effort.
"Planting the 60 trees is a significant achievement that clearly demonstrates their intent to curb carbon emissions. Other than reducing emissions, this activity also contributes to greenery, heightens biodiversity, and strengthens ERL's commitment towards sustainability and a green legacy for future generations," he said in his speech.
"In an era where sustainability and other governance metrics matter, it is heartening to note that ERL is living out these principles. If every organisation in Malaysia does the same, then it will hasten the realisation of the country's aspiration towards a green future," he said.
In his speech, Ahmad Farhan said this particular tree planting drive fulfils several SDGs, such as alleviating hunger, mitigating climate change, and biodiversity conservation.
"This programme promotes public-private partnerships, strengthens the network for sustainable development, and fits in with UPM's goal in contributing to national food security," he said.
A native to Malaysia and its neighbours, merawan siput jantan is a desirable tree for landscaping as it thrives in sunny climate and produces fragrant flowers, while able to sequester carbon in a more efficient way compared to other tree species.
