Tree inventory exercise finds rare trees in George Town

GEORGE TOWN: A tree inventory exercise by the Penang Island City Council has recorded several rare species of trees within the heritage area.
Council Landscape Department director Norrezan Sulaiman said these included the “pokok sentang” (Azadirachta excels), “pokok saga” (Adenanthera) and “pokok pulai” (Alstonia angustiloba Miq).
She said these rare species could be found within the George Town City and were recorded after a survey of 4,200 trees which began in 2013.
She said the survey will continue this year where 6,000 trees were expected to be surveyed by year end.
She said the survey will record and collect data on the health, condition and species of trees within the areas under the jurisdiction of the council.
Norrezan also said 80% of the trees surveyed so far were in good health while the remaining 20% needed treatment.
She was elaborating on the issue after Mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif spoke about the survey when she chaired the council meeting earlier.
Maimunah said data collected could help in managing the health and condition of trees within the council limits.
“In addition, the Penang Tree Information System (PeTIS) has been made to store data on trees in a systematic manner so a digital map of trees can be created,” she added.
On the subject of the bicycle rental industry, Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong said the council decided to relax the requirement on compulsory insurance.
He said bicycle rental operators found it difficult to obtain insurance for public liability as insurance companies did not offer such plans.
He nonetheless said the council will continue to encourage operators to get such insurance if possible.
“Operators will have to prepare the (high visibility) vests, bicycle helmets and liability waiver forms themselves,” he said when asked about other safety measures.