Along the roads and pedestrian pathways on Jalan Ara and Jalan Tempinis in Bangsar here, Chandran has been quietly working to replace felled angsana trees, many of which leave large, decaying stumps that are difficult to remove and are dangerous to pedestrians.
Armed with saplings from his nursery in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, he and his helper have been planting a variety of trees, from the vibrant African tulip to the sacred ficus, along the streets of Bangsar. Many of these trees now thrive in front of eateries and banks, adding both shade and charm to the neighbourhood.
Each tree bears a sticker with a simple message: “Protect the plant, save the world, take care of Malaysia.” It’s a sentiment Chandran embodies as he embarks on this endeavour while juggling a hectic work and travel schedule.
“Urban environments are becoming harsher and more dehumanising,” he explained. “Cities seem to be built for cars and malls, not for people. Trees can soften the hard edges of our concrete jungle, giving us back some of the serenity we’ve lost.”
He speaks passionately about the “silent war” being waged in cities across Malaysia, where planners and developers cut down trees in the name of progress. “Somehow, we’ve become so afraid of leaves falling on our streets or coconut trees dropping their fruit. It’s as if nature is the enemy.”
Chandran cites Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to plant 100 trees for every one removed.
“I decided to start in my own neighbourhood, where over the years, hundreds of trees have been cut down, leaving nothing but stumps. I’m replanting in all these spots. Public spaces that deserve to breathe again.”
His vision extends beyond Bangsar: he dreams of a nationwide tree-planting movement, where citizens take ownership of their green spaces.
“Imagine if just 100 people in KL planted 100 trees each. That’s 10,000 new trees. And if 1,000 residents across the Klang Valley did the same? We’d transform the city.”
While Chandran’s project has received support from some residents and even foreign workers, he has faced some opposition.
“In an upper middle-class area, you’d think people would welcome more greenery. But some homeowners actively oppose planting, even though it’s public land. They fear trees, leaves, and the animals they attract. It’s baffling,” he said.
Undeterred, Chandran continues to engage the community to foster a collective sense of responsibility. He’s particularly inspired by the support of foreign workers, who have not only adopted his trees but have even started their own small gardens around them.
Chandran’s hope is that this grassroots movement will spread to schools, where students can be taught the value of tree planting and community involvement.
“It’s more than just learning how to plant; it’s about building a sense of ownership and connection to the environment. And it only takes an hour a month,” he added.
Indeed, with a bit of effort and community spirit, Malaysia’s cities could be reimagined, one tree at a time.