Penang to stand taller and greener

Hundreds of saplings planted for future generation

POCKETS of lush greenery will stud the island under the local authority's Greener Penang initiative.

Hundreds of tree saplings will be planted in areas earmarked "for growth".

For a start, 101 trees will line a 550-metre stretch near the ferry and cruise terminals between Lebuh Downing and Lebuh Chulia in Weld Quay.

A site visit showed the RM127,470 project to be about 90 per cent in progress. It is expected to be completed by early next month. About 280 saplings will be planted at a 1.4km stretch in Jalan Datuk Keramat.

Next year, the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) will add more places to be planted with trees as part of its ongoing project to make the environment of George Town more pleasant for living.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative was taken for the benefit of future generation.

"The trees will offer shade and add to the greenery in the inner city. It is high time that the lack of greenery is addressed," he said after launching the tree-planting ceremony in Weld Quay, yesterday.

MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail said the council also planned to plant more trees within the heritage core and buffer zones.

"We will add more trees along the road dividers at selected venues to improve the city's landscape," she said.

She said the road curbs were modified to accommodate the planting of four species of trees comprising the Bucida molineti, Gardenia carinata, Jacaranda obtusifolia and Syzygium campanulatum.

A MPPP spokesman said the species originated from the Bahamas.

Source: PHUAH KEN LIN