Gamuda Land’s sustainable landscaping initiative, Gamuda Parks, recently organised the Wetlands Festival 2024 at Wetlands Arboretum Centre in Gamuda Cove in Kuala Langat aiming to nurture environmental stewardship.
Approximately 1,000 people over the two-day weekend early this month attended the festival held in celebration of World Wetlands Day.
The festival highlighted the importance of environmental education and eco-tourism, alongside with strategic collaborations with educational institutions and partners to conduct research that can make a meaningful impact.
In line with this, the festival saw the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with educational institutions – International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
The property arm said Gamuda Parks will collaborate with IIUM on research and conservation studies focused on vulnerable forest tree species listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
“The study has the opportunity to make cities more sustainable and resilient, boosting biodiversity, improving well-being, and inspiring similar eco-friendly practices in urban development nationwide,” it said in a statement today (Feb 21).
Wetlands Arboretum Centre, where the festival was held, is a living tree museum built by Gamuda Land through Gamuda Parks in a 90-acre reserved land in Gamuda Cove, near Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands.
Gamuda Land executive director Khariza Abd Khalid said the arboretums serve several important functions, combining educational, research, and recreational purposes.
“Besides maintaining living collections of trees, some of which may be rare, endangered, or historically significant, the Wetlands Arboretum is also a living laboratory for the study of plant biology, ecology, and horticulture.
“Climate action initiatives we undertake at Gamuda Parks is vital as we recognise the pivotal role of biodiversity conservation. The Wetlands Arboretum Centre stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation,” said Khariza.
She added: “Through these collaborative research partnerships, there is a potential to foster commercial ventures within the ecotourism sector, further cementing our dedication to holistic sustainability and community enrichment.”
Among the festival highlights were the eco glamping competition and nature playscape competition, both of which were conducted in collaboration with Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM).
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with indigenous communities during the Orang Asli Workshop as well as support local artisans, joined the GParks Ranger environmental workshop and arboretum gallery tour.
Meanwhile, Khariza said the group also launched Gamuda Green Plan three years ago aims to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual projections.
Under the Gamuda Green Plan, Gamuda Parks has made notable strides, planting and nurturing over 600,000 trees and creating 1,665 acres of greenspaces and waterscapes across 12 urban forest clusters within 16 developments.
As part of this initiative, 12 biodiversity assessments have been conducted, unveiling 37 flora and 45 fauna species of conservation importance as well as 200 trees classified under IUCN protected species.
Aside from that, Gamuda Parks will be extending its facilities to UPM’s Faculty of Design and Architecture students for industrial training and work with UTM will work together to connect academia and the industry.
