MELAKA: The Melaka Government is studying the many types of fruit trees suitable as street landscaping to facilitate road users to identify their direction in Melaka.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said he had directed all related agencies such as the Melaka Landscape Department, local authorities and agricultural companies to furnish a study by year-end.
“We will set up a committee to ensure a new policy on the Melaka landscape will be completed before the 2018 New Year celebration,” he said after visiting the 2017 Melaka Durian and Local Fruits Festival at the Melaka Tropical Fruit Farm in Sungai Udang today.
“The landscape of Melaka then will not only comprise flowering trees but also fruit trees as found in developed countries such as lime trees along Taiwan streets and several other countries,” he said, adding that in the initial stage, a committee would be set up to identify a suitable area for the pilot project.
For example, Idris pointed out the highway connecting Ayer Keroh-Paya Rumput-Sungai Udang would be planted with mangosteen trees as indicator to facilitate the people to find their way to Sungai Udang.
“If we were used to cut down trees to construct a building, now we will try to prevent developers from felling the trees and instead, plant more trees.
“We note that Singapore is the greenest city in the world, with 21 per cent of the city covered with trees, ” he added.
Meanwhile, commenting on the durian and local fruits festival, Pembangunan Pertanian Melaka Sdn Bhd (PPMSB) chief executive officer, Datuk Isnin Aman said it was the third festival held.
“We are expecting to receive more than 30,000 local and foreign visitors at the fair,” he said, adding that durians on sale at the two-day festival starting today, would be sold cheaper than at other places.
“Durian-flavoured dodol and ice-cream will also be promoted at the event.” - Bernama