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In
2002, I visited the restoring site of Malaysia where Ricoh supports
forest restoration.
The plantation works are conducted under joint works of youth of
BatuputehVillage, pious Islamic village along the Kinabatangan River
and WWF.
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site is the place called "restoration site" 8km away from
BatuputehVillage. From BatuputehVillage to the "restoration
site", the movement is done by a boat. But when they have little
water in the dry season, they walk. When walking, they have to cut
and open the road usually unmanned. |
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In
the camp site, the base of plantation activity, they may stay there
to work in the season when it is difficult to move from BatuputehVillage.
Sapling needed for plantation is grown in BatuputehVillage until
it reaches the height of about 1m, so that it does not sink under
the water in rainy season.
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The first thing to do in plantation is
to cut the grass. Since tropical rain forest was cut here a few
years ago, sunlight goes direct into the land and unnecessary weed
grew. If it is left as is, important sapling would not grow.
Next, we dig a hole. The hole must be a little larger than the size
that sapling root just fits. If not accustomed, it is a hard job.
The bottom of the hole dug is covered by fine soil and the sapling
is put on it. Fine soil is put around the root. If the soil was
not fine, air would go into it and the root would get rotten. After
giving enough water, the cut weed covers the root of sapling to
prevent dryness.
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| Plantation is made under such
severe environment. If trees are left just planted, they may be
covered up by vines. Attention must be paid to take off vines. Tremendous
efforts are needed to take back the nature once lost. |
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