Universiti Putra Malaysia Students' Attitude and Awareness Towards
Urban Tree Planting

by

Zarina Zakaria
M. S. (Tropical Forest Resource Management)
1998

Supervisor: Zakariya Abdullah
Co-supervisor: Dr. Wan Sabri Wan Mansur

Man has a long association with plants since time immemorial. People's attitude and awareness towards trees are changing with time and situations. A general study had been carried out to identify Universiti Putra Malaysia students' attitude and awareness towards tree planting activities in urban areas. The objectives also covered their perception on (i) the benefits and disadvantages of trees, (ii) their involvement in tree planting program, and (iii) their awareness towards the environment. Survey questionnaires of 100 respondents consist of students from the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Economy and Management was carried out. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS software to get percentages and frequencies. The respondents demonstrated high satisfaction to the number and the appropriateness of trees planted within the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur City with varied and contradicting responses on urban tree conditions. Improving environmental quality was selected as the most important benefit, meanwhile, dangers of fallen trees was selected as the most important disadvantage. The respondents indicate their willingness to participate and even to pay in tree planting program in their residential areas and intend to see more trees around. They agreed that tree-planting campaigns had and could improve their awareness towards the importance of trees. Forest burning was stated as the main cause of the haze problems that resulted in various health problems. Immediate steps such as the control of open and forest burning and active tree planting were identified as essential to overcome these problems.

Citation:
Zarina, Z. 1998. Universiti Putra Malaysia students' attitude and awareness towards urban tree planting. M. S. (Trop. For. Res. Mgt.) Project Report. Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia. 55 leaves. (http://www.oocities.org/EnchantedForest/Palace/1170/abzar.html)