by Bernard Cheah

BANTING: A total of RM28,000 was raised for environmental conservation through the BOH Eco Trail 2016 held over the weekend.

It came from the fees paid by the 600 participants, who ran a 8km trail in the BOH plantations at Bukit Cheeding and Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve peatland forest on Saturday.

The proceeds will go to the Global Environment Centre (GEC), an NGO which supports the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources through strategic partnerships with communities and organisations.

BOH Plantations CEO Caroline Russell hoped the run would help raise awareness of the delicate ecosystem, which is held in balance by the peat deep beneath the surface of the earth.

"Many of us are not aware of this special forest with its unique flora and fauna, just off the Elite Highway.

"By organising the run through the special trail into the forest reserve, the public can experience a natural peat swamp forest first hand and understand the threats to it," she said.

She said the funds raised will go to GEC's peatland forest ranger programme where training camps, talks and exhibitions will be held at participating schools, including two Orang Asli primary schools, to raise awareness of peat swamp forest conservation among the younger generation.

Before flagging off the participants, Russell presented a mock cheque for RM28,000 to GEC director Faizal Parish.

The participants were treated to coconut water harvested from BOH plantation and entertained to traditional dance by an Orang Asli troupe at the finishing line.

The BOH Eco Trail 2016 is the second charity run organised by BOH plantation and was supported by the Selangor Forestry Department, Kuala Langat district council and Fitness First Malaysia.