UEM Land Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) recently signed a grant amounting to RM230,000 to draw up an Environment Masterplan for Nusajaya.

Held on 8 November 2008, the grant is part of UEM Land’s strategic efforts to provide a sustainable development for Nusajaya in terms of economy, social and the environment.

In his speech, En Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim said, ”Apart from providing a quality lifestyle in line with a compelling economic growth, it is our responsibility to ensure a harmonious co-existence between development and the environment.”

En Wan Abdullah added, ”UEM Land’s commitment to the environment is manifested through the strategic management of water, energy, waste management and environment and conservation.”

As the master developer of Nusajaya, and with Nusajaya located adjacent to the Sg Pulai Ramsar site, UEM Land is conscious of its responsiblity to ensure co-existence between development and the environment.

Ramsar Sg Pulai, measuring 91.2 square kilometres, is the largest Ramsar site in West Malaysia.

The grant was signed during the Program Pemuliharaan Alam Sekitar event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Environment. Program Pemuliharaan Alam Sekitar was held in conjunction with Minggu Alam Sekitar Malaysia 2008.

Apart from the grant, UEM Land also launched its coffee table book entitled, Bio-Diversity of Sg Pulai Ramsar Site Johor, published by UKM.

The book is a simple introductory guide to the rich flora and fauna biodiversity of the Sg Pulai mangrove forest and the Ramsar site of South Johor, aimed at promoting public awareness and appreciation of the intrinsic value and functional significance of the mangrove forest ecosystem.

UEM Land’s involvement is part of its efforts to instill and develop public awareness on the importance of environmental conservation for the benefit of the future.

The collaboration with UKM is part of Eco-Nusajaya, an initiative by UEM Land as part of its commitment to sustainability. The book is produced by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and sponsored by UEM Land Berhad to help promote public awareness and appreciation of the intrinsic value of the rich mangrove flora and fauna, and the functional significance of the mangrove forest ecosystem to the environment.

The Book will be distributed to public libraries, academic institutions and our PINTAR schools in Gelang Patah.

To further conserve the Ramsar Sg Pulai site, a tree-planting activity was also organised, participated by staff of UEM Land, UKM as well as students from the Gelang Patah area.