Thank You Sime Darby for my wish come true!!

Just yesterday I blogged about the looming tree planting binge that Sime Darby was embarking on in their Sustainability Initiative. I was wishing that the wisdom of the Bring Back The Birds report i.e. in the suggestion of suitable trees would be considered for the tree planting.


I can't believe my eyes!!! My wish came true this morning as I walked through our lake park again. Forest trees, real forest trees all name-tagged thanks to Perniagaan Tunas Harapan, the "reforestation nursery" located in Tg Malim.

I've checked the names of trees against the Bird Report, and am so pleased that not only are these new trees listed in the report, some the existing trees in and around Ara Damansara are also listed as 'plants that bear fruits which are attractive to birds'; 'plants that bear flowers that are attractive to birds'; oh the list goes on.

"Blackcurrant ~ Plant which bears fruit attractive to birds"












Not only are these trees to be planted in the lake park,





they are also going to be planted along the lake's edge next to the houses. A necessary buffer to keep the fauna of the park peaceful.





I just can't wait to see the variety of birds that will be coming to visit and call Ara Damansara their home. We already have a certain species of hornbill roosting in this area. What a thrill it is going to be to see a flock of them fly by? As it is the pair is already a sensation with residents here. Oh and just a little reminder ~ please don't forget the perch poles in the lake for the fishing birds to stand on and aim for their prey.

Once again, thank you Sime Darby for doing right by your resident investors. I further wish is that you could also buy up the remaining land offered for sale around Ara Damansara and sustainably develop it too. If only more developers would emulate the example set by Sime Darby, wow the Klang Valley would be known throughout the world as THE PLACE to call home. What a pull factor for Malaysia My 2nd Home!

Tree planting binge

After all the input given by concerned residents of Ara Damansara, Sime Darby Property has committed that they have taken it all into account and planning the rehabilitation of our parks according to expert advice.



A recent walk through one of our lakeparks shows that tree-planting is already beginning here. A back-hoe machine was seen digging holes for the planting of trees, forest trees I hope, and a variety of it too. I've learnt from a very reliable source that Sime Darby has embarked on a mega reforestation initiative with help from Tunas Harapan, a tropical forest nursery somewhere in Tg Malim. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait for the trees to be in the ground and by the end of next year start, give the park the majestic look and feel of a tropical rainforest. And can you imagine the variety of birds that will visit and nest in this area. I am thrilled beyond belief.


Already along the banks of the silted lake, a large tree, looks like a Saga (red-seed) weaver birds are roosting, their elegantly woven nests hanging works of natural art. I hope the landscaping doesn't destroy this tree.


The trees that should be wiped out of our surrounds are the ubiquitous acacia, not indigenous and a voracious coloniser, pushing out precious indigenous species, so sensitive to the conquering nature of the acacia. But I really don't know about planting trees so close to the lake edge so soon, before the lake has been dredged and rehabilitated. I do fear that after some beautiful species are planted here, their fine specimens may be destroyed in giving way for desilting works. I'm hoping that planning does take place before development


What I would really like to see, is what I was reminded of in Bali recently. No wasteland seen there. If a piece of land was cleared of its natural vegetation, for development which has yet to happen, the land is cultivated with meaningful agriculture either rice paddies or orchards. Not just left to waste and turned into a dumping ground for people too lazy to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.


There's much to be learnt from any country we visit, if only we are not too proud to admit that knowledge and wisdom comes in all shapes, sizes and sources. None superior to the other, just helping everyone grow in harmony with our creator.