Transforming KL into a 'green city'

There is no doubt that development is taking place at almost every nook and corner of this metropolitan city.

Kuala Lumpur has 1.8 million inhabitants and the rapid development has robbed the city of its greenery and has created massive traffic congestion.

However the authorities are taking various measures to ensure that Kuala Lumpur goes green through the 'gardens in the city' initiative, hence making it a comfortable and safe place to work, live and play.

Among the efforts being implemented is the greening programme under the Greater Kuala Lumpur initiative where the authorities plan to plant 100,000 trees within the city by the year 2020.

"We see that the concept of 'jungle in the city' is yet to achieve its objective. We must focus on meeting the target in creating the green lungs.

"We will review the planting concept as well as the greening method," Kuala Lumpur Datuk Bandar Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib told Bernama inconjunction with the 39th Federal Territory Day on February 1.

Kuala Lumpur is one of the three Federal Territories in the country with the other two being Putrajaya and Labuan.

Meanwhile, the 'jungle in the city' concept refers to the existence of natural or artificially created green lungs including trees and vegetation within the city.

This is important to ensure the quality of the environment. This is also in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's aspiration to see the Kuala Lumpur skyline filled with skyscrappers and the ground below covered with greenery suitable for recreational activities for the society.

In making the city green, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will establish a smart partnership with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).

"DBKL will allocate RM14 million for the planting of trees under the greening programme. The trees are to be planted in areas according to the jungle conservation and botanical purposes and concept.

"We need to see how Singapore has planted the jungle trees in the city area. We are rich in jungle treasures like the meranti and merbau trees. The concept augurs well for those who want to know more about the jungle trees in Malaysia," he said.

The effort to make the city green is not only limited to the local authorities, but that from the private sector as well.

The collaboration of the private sector in making the city green is seen crucial in the move to make Kuala Lumpur among the world's top 20 cities in terms of economy and standard of living by the year 2020.

As such, DBKL and FRIM will set up an advisory panel on landscaping where developers can refer to in making the 'jungle in city' concept a success.

The focus is for each developer to provide the minimum of 10 per cent area for landscaping purposes.

"If the developers could only provide about eight per cent for landscaping on the surface level, then they are required to provide 16 per cent for landscaping in the upper floors, double the area required on the surface," explained Ahmad Phesal.

The greening programme also covers existing parks in the city. For this purpose DBKL and FRIM are identifying the method needed to rejuvenate the Bukit Kerinchi Forest Park, which is among the 19 recreational parks in the city.

The authorities have also incorporated the CASH elements (creative, active, sports and health) at certain parks by engaging fitness instructors for recreational health programmes in the effort to reduce stress among city dwellers.

This year's Federal Territory Day celebration will be launched at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium at Bandar Tun Razak on February 2.

Members of the public who attend the event will have the opportunity to partcipate in a lucky draw and win a Myvi special edition car, Honda motorcycle, smartphones and many more.

This year's theme is 'Solidarity is The Thrust of Prosperity for the Federal Territory'.

Among the highlights of the celebration are the national-level Ponggal Festival at the Merdeka Square here on February 2 and the 'Kenduri 1Wilayah' held for the first time simultaneously on Feb 17 at 11 parliamentary constituencies in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

Federal Territory residents will also be offered a flat rate of RM30 on traffic summonses issued by the DBKL (February 12 until February 28), free use of DBKL sports facilities and only RM1 charge for the 'Hop on Hop Off' bus ride on February 1.