AEON CO. (M) BHD. Signs a Reforestation & Rehabilitation Agreement of the Orang-utan’s Habitat in Northern Ulu Segama, Lahat Datu, Sabah

 

The North Ulu Segama (NUS) logged over forest area within the Ulu Segama –Malua Forest Reserve was discovered in 2007 to have the highest density of orang-utan population. The forest was severely degraded due to several cycles of logging operations in the past and frequent occurrence of forest fire. Miraculously, the orang-utans survived, despite the ordeal they have to endure.

 

The well-being of the orang-utan population in NUS was in dire condition in 2007 as food source was limited in a recently logged over forest habitat and they were confined in a relatively small logged over forest area surrounded by oil-palm plantation estates and bordered by the Segama River to the South. The population is literally confined in a small poor forest habitat, and doomed to succumb to starvation and eventually death. With that scenario, NUS was considered as high priority area for forest and orang-utan habitat’s restoration.

 

The fast growing trees species will restore the connectivity of the forest canopy, so that the orang-utan will be free to roam in search of food in all the areas within NUS and places to build their nests. The wild fruit trees will be source of food for the orang-utans.

AEON will be planting approximately 30,000 saplings of high trees, middle high trees, low trees and shrubs in the next five (5) years. AEON invests 0.5 million into the 5 years project and approximately 80 hectares of tree planting areas in the Northern Ulu Segama. 
 

Mr. Nagahisa Oyama, Managing Director of AEON CO. (M) BHD, said: "It has always been the company’s aspiration to preserve the environment and the orang-utan’s habitat in North Ulu Segama. We see the growing importance of conservation measures to protect and nurture green environment." 
 

The event will help to foster closer ties between AEON and the local residents, not only as a business venture but also in the hopes to educate the locals on the importance of preserving the environment. 

AEON Co. (M) Bhd in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia hope to spread the significance and value of rehabilitating the orang-utan’s population and look forward to sustain this project for a long time.  

AEON Tree-Planting Programme

 

The very first AEON tree-planting activity was conducted in 1991 at the JUSCO Malacca branch in Ayer Keroh. It was called “AEON Hometown Forest Program” where 50,000 saplings were planted. Ever since, it has always been an AEON tradition to continue with tree-planting activities at its new store. AEON Co. Ltd. in Japan is the pioneer of AEON Environment Foundation that has been contributing towards greening areas in Sudan and several sites surrounding the Great Wall of China.

 

AEON truly feels that by conducting this simple act of planting trees together with members of the surrounding community, they will be able to create an ever-lasting difference towards the environment

 

Tree-planting has always been AEON’s commitment towards reviving nature, to create a more natural and pleasant environment for the sake of future generations. The biggest tree planting exercise was carried out at Paya Indah Wetlands, Selangor in 2004 in conjunction with AEON Malaysia’s 20th anniversary with the planting of 20,000 saplings. On 3 October 2009, 2,500 volunteers gathered once again at the Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil, Selangor to continue the tradition in conjunction with AEON’s 25th Anniversary celebration where they planted 25,000 trees. To date, AEON has planted more than 400,000 saplings throughout Malaysia. 

 

AEON’s tree-planting programs have always been in line with its corporate and social activities to help protect and nurture the environment as well as to increase awareness among local residents and members of the public. AEON primary mission is to create a greener planet for future generations and to assert the importance of environment protection and conservation. AEON, a subsidiary of AEON Japan, has long been a part of a global network of environment conservation via the AEON Group 1% Club and AEON Group Environment Foundation. 

 

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For more information, kindly contact:

Zakimarhaini Bt Mohd Said

Tel: 03-92076246

Fax: 03-92072006, 92072007

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WWF-Malaysia (World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia), the national conservation trust, currently runs more than 75 projects covering a diverse range of environmental protection work. Since 1972, WWF-Malaysia has worked on important conservation projects, from saving endangered species such as tigers and turtles, to protecting our highland forests, rivers and seas. We also undertake environmental education and advocacy work to achieve conservation goals. By conserving our natural resources, WWF-Malaysia is helping to protect our livelihoods, food and water supply, thus securing our good quality of life and our children’s bright future. We thank our supporters whose donations enable our conservation work. If you would like to donate to WWF-Malaysia or learn more about our projects, please call: +603-78033772 or visit our website at: wwf.org.my.