(from left) Shamsaini, Zuraida, Hajah and Khariza at the event.
PETALING JAYA: In conjunction with Earth Day 2021, Housing and Local Government Minister (KPKT) Zuraida Kamaruddin paid a visit to Gamuda Cove and the Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands.
This is part of KPKT’s drive towards improving the standard of sustainable land use and optimisation in the country. The visit showcased Gamuda Land stewardship of the surrounding ecosystem across its portfolio over the years.
“As we celebrate Earth Day, we must keep in mind that residential housing and development must take into consideration not just the needs of Malaysians today, but those of generations of home seekers to come. With KPKT’s mandate to further the national housing agenda and improve the lives of the rakyat, we applaud developers like Gamuda Land who establish and uphold responsible, holistic and sustainable development practices,” said Zuraida.
Zuraida was given a tour of Gamuda Cove, a 1,530-acre site located in Southern Klang Valley. The surrounding area is rich in wetlands, which play an integral role in Malaysia’s ecology by sequestering carbon and mitigating floodwater while serving as wildlife habitats.
Gamuda Land minimises impact to the hydrology of the Gamuda Cove site through mindful water table management, including the establishment of three water retention ponds in the township as well as two in the nearby Forest Park. This is to address soil compaction and subsidence issues.
These initiatives also mitigate stormwater runoff to nearby rivers while enhancing biodiversity in terms of flora and associated avian species. As part of its biodiversity rehabilitation efforts, Gamuda Land has, to date, audited six of its townships, including Gamuda Cove, to establish a baseline for biodiversity and benchmark subsequent growth.
Insights from these studies are used to foster vibrant ecosystems within Gamuda Land developments. Such efforts are a testament to the Gamuda Group’s approach to environmental, social and corporate governance in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
These include ongoing efforts to plant one million trees across Gamuda Land townships by 2023 as a step towards combating climate change and associated heat island effects.
Gamuda Land’s sustainable land optimisation includes the earmarking of 90 acres of land in Gamuda Cove for the development of the Forest Park and a Wetlands Arboretum, where the community can enjoy outdoor activities amidst nature.
This is on top of the 60-acre pet-friendly Central Park in the heart of the township. Gamuda Cove is a nature sanctuary and smart city with planned 5G infrastructure. It is designed to be ready with integrated pedestrian walkways, a tramway network, shuttle bus and environmentally-friendly electric transit vehicle infrastructure to provide intercity and intracity connectivity.
Also at the event were Gamuda Land chief executive officer Ngan Chee Meng, chief operating officer Aw Sei Cheh, Gamuda Parks chief operating officer Khariza Abdul Khalid, PlanMalaysia director-general Shamsaini Shamsuddin and National Landscape Department director-general Rotina Mohd Daik.
Stay ahead of the crowd and enjoy fresh insights on real estate, property development, and lifestyle trends when you subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
