CJMY
Penang Hill Corporation’s (PHC) plogging programme, known as the Trash Free Hill (TFH2022) set to take place on November 13 at Penang Hill.
The programme will see some seven hundred seasoned hikers participating in keeping the hill clean and rubbish-free.
Plogging refers, specifically, to the activity of picking up trash while jogging, and its name is a portmanteau of the Swedish term plocka upp, meaning “to pick up,” and the English word jogging.
The one-day event will take place from 6.30 am to 12 noon.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the programme had become a popular plogging event attracting many experienced hikers since it started in 2018.
The main aim is to help protect and preserve Penang Hill and its water catchment areas. The programme will increase public awareness of keeping Penang Hill clean and rubbish-free.
“This event is not only for hikers; everyone is welcome to join.
“We hope more participants will join us for this cleanup drive this year,” said Cheok.
Penang welfare and environment committee chairperson Phee Boon Poh said the state government, through PHC, hopes to emphasise the importance of biodiversity and the co-existence of humans with nature through this plogging event.
“Back in 2019, with the help of 700 participants, we collected more than 480kg of trash on the hill.
“And with more and more people visiting Penang Hill each year, we hope this plogging event will be able to educate and generate public awareness to be more environmentally conscious and dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
According to Cheok, TFH2022 first flag-off will be at Taman Rimba in Teluk Bahang at 6.30am.
“It is one of the longest trails among the eight trails around Penang Hill. This trail suits experienced hikers.
“The starting points for the remaining seven trails will be at Moongate Entrance, Botanic Gardens, Lower Station / Heritage Trail, Hye Keat Estate and Jalan Air Itam beginning at 7 am.
“The endpoint for all trails will be at Dataran, near the Penang Hill Upper Station, by noon.
Public can register on Penang Hill Corporation’s website at this link. It is open to all individuals and families until September 30.
“We welcome experienced and seasoned hikers. We encourage corporate teams to join the plogging event,” said Cheok.
PHC would also provide registered participants with gloves, garbage bags and gunny sacks. They will arrange to collect the filled bags.
Universiti Sains Malaysia personnel will weigh the retireved trash. They will then analyse the data to determine the total waste found in Penang Hill,” he said.
Jimmy Tan
