KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property Bhd has received the Environmental Category award at the FIABCI Malaysia Property Award 2023 for its Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre (ERKC) in Elmina, Shah Alam.

The ERKC, launched in October 2020, acts as a crucial centre for education and conservation.

The centre, which is adjacent to the 300-acre Elmina Central Park and the 2,700-acre Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve, has achieved notable progress in conservation efforts.

This includes the nurturing of 187 plant species, comprising 35,000 seedlings and 10,000 tree saplings at the Elmina Living Collection Nursery.

SD Property said the endeavour is a component of a larger initiative to plant 50,000 trees listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List by 2030.

"The award acknowledges the group's contribution to environmental literacy and urban biodiversity conservation as well as its positive sustainability impact on Malaysia's real estate industry," it said.

Group managing director Datuk Azmir Merican said the ERKC demonstrates the company's comprehensive development strategy, emphasising the interconnectedness of nature and human well-being.

"Facilities like ERKC provide invaluable spaces for the community to engage in impactful nature conservation activities, educate younger generations about the importance of nature and also serve as a hub for research and co-working among forestry NGOs and related bodies.

"Building sustainable townships while nurturing healthy communities and ecosystems should be the way forward for property developments because it would in turn inspire residents and the public to care about and protect the environments they are living in, for a better future," he added.