@Green September/October 2022 | Page 27

September-October , 2022 | @ Forest

27

CONSERVATION

by implementing community and biodiversity inclusion into their day-to-day operations . We are open and received requests from the plantation companies to manage their environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) programme on their lands . Together we can instil this effort into the

which will be transplanted into the forest .

Nirwana elaborated : “ We plan to educate the public about the dipterocarps tissue culture seedling process . Working on the process of growing the seedling from the lab to replanting the seedings will educate the public in understanding how the technology needed to help the entire process of reforestation work . “ This programme has stirred more interest in understanding that reforestation is not just another planting tree programme . It is a whole process of managing the trees , nurturing and caring for them , and maintaining them until they can grow healthy .”

Importance is given to the sampling of tissue culture as it is required to support the current germination process Planters is carrying out to the seedlings for replanting .

To ensure that the seedlings are more resilient when replanted , where the topsoil may be damaged , the sampling process conducted prior will allow Planters to replicate the seedlings and nurture them with nutrients by introducing soil with which they will be replanted .

This method will help ensure a higher chance of survival - up to 80 per cent . – @ Forest heart of its operation to produce the best output in nature conservation ,” added Sadruddin .

There has been a misconception that higher costs are incurred by plantation companies who comply with ESG standards . Sadruddin argued that focusing on ESG was profitable business-wise . Customers and consumers , especially the younger generation , are now more well-versed with ESG and are factoring this practice into their purchases and consumption .

To drive ESG practices within companies , governments and international communities provide many incentives to companies that comply with ESG standards .

“ The digital footprint of a company can also be affected by other social media users , which can seem to come out of nowhere , even from a single posting . Failure to confront downside risks can harm a company or brand ’ s value .

“ Furthermore , with the advancement in company performance reporting , it ’ ll no longer be limited to its financial standings but the company image as a whole . With compliance with ESG standards , a company will have a good name among clients , consumers & investors ,” explained Sadruddin . – @ Forest

As we progress and the technology improves along the way , we are installing motion sensors to create an invisible sentry . Hence , a virtual boundary to detect any wildlife movements , which at the same time will generate an alert if there are any intruders / poachers in the area . It does not only mean for poachers but the safety of our workforce and volunteers .”

– Nirwana

Nirwana Tuan Sharif

PRESERVING through the aid of technology , Planters International Bhd is a forestmanagement company authorised by State governments to heal the degraded forest and conserve them as primary forests .

The organisation ’ s task for conservation includes - but is not limited to - replanting , nurturing and maintaining existing trees .

Planters manage the forest with a clear goal - to make it habitable for wildlife . The conservation of trees , restoration of water catchment , and giving wildlife their natural habitat to live is vital for their survival .

Apart from that , Planters also carries out replanting activities of wild fruit-bearing trees , providing wildlife food for their survival and healthy growth .

To improve effi ciency and effi cacy , the organisation has developed innovative technology which will provide a fail-safe method of reforestation that can be used in various locations , starting from their home base - Malaysia .

Planters ’ technology includes drones as a mode of surveillance to monitor tree growth and detect wildlife . Planters deploys thermal drones to ascertain the animals ’ species to assist in ground observation .

Additionally , the system will identify live animals through the latest high-precision thermal imaging technology . The animals in sightings are tapir , elephants , foxes and serows . This exercise allows Planters to identify the animals ’ whereabouts and the areas they roam and explore .

Technology improvements

Further understanding can be established by studying the areas the animals frequent for food and water and safe spaces for their homes .

The fundamental goal of the surveillance system is to audit information , such as the trees , species and girth , data which will be stored in the tree ID of their forest management dashboard .

On top of monitoring , Planters also replant trees that may have been affected and the process of nurturing and monitoring repeats .

Planters , however , has yet to put the system to the test , as the targeted area for installation is too deep , and the technology requires further trial and error for its response period .

Nirwana Tuan Sharif explained : “ As we progress and the technology improves along the way , we are installing motion sensors to create an invisible sentry . Hence , a virtual boundary to detect any wildlife movements , which at the same time will generate an alert if there are any intruders / poachers in the area . It does not only mean for poachers but the safety of our workforce and volunteers .

“ With the help of our drones and ground surveillance , we can identify the animals in the area and provide information to related departments . We aim to give the wildlife as much space as possible to roam around so they can be safe without going into developed areas .” – @ Forest