ARTIKEL

Bunus River is a unique river flowing through the heart of the metropolitan and holds an important role in flood mitigation efforts, benefiting the life of its seven (7) million residents in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur The Local Agenda 21 Kuala Lumpur - LA21 KL is a unit under the City Planning Department of City Hall Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Drainage Department (JPS), River of Life (ROL), government organization, private sector, NGO, individual and local community collaborated together, turning the arid land into a beautiful community garden and recreational sites for public use; and known as Sungai Bunus Urban Garden (Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus) - KBSB.

Planting activities indeed managed to green and beautify its surrounding area. Among activities carried out at KBSB are planting, watering, chopping, cultivating, recreation, cooking, cooking demonstrations, sharing knowledge via Webinars/physical about crops, honey, animals/varieties, cycling, aerobics, river/environmental day celebrations, reading, recording book reviews, adding garden facilities, river plogging, discussion on specific projects, porridge distribution during fasting month, breaking fast, Eid celebration, storytelling sessions, colouring, bibliotherapy, life-long learning, receiving visitors and others. KBSB’s monthly activities are held on Sunday at the end of each month which stakeholders take turn hosting a particular event starting September 2021.

These organised activities applied some part elements of education, brotherhood, leisure, working together as a family and also charitable and community in nature. KBSB is a garden featuring herbs, vegetables, side dishes, fruits and flowers. Chilies, okra, spinach, banana, pineapple, papaya, cempedak, rambutan, bidara, oyster mushrooms, corn, pineapple, eggplant, tomato, cucumber, coconut, curry, pandan leave, galangal, kantan flower and Malaysian traditional salads are among plants that planted there.

KBSB is located along the Bunus River which is facing The National Library of Malaysia, BERNAMA and Expressionz Professional Suits. The entrance to the garden is through Lorong Gurney, Jalan BERNAMA and Jalan Temerloh. KBSB can be accessed via Garden Website - https://sites.google.com/view/khasiatpokokherba/laman-utama and Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus Facebook. Promotion is made via media social.

KBSB was developed for the purpose to encourage agricultural activities, encourage the production of various types of crops, acquire knowledge about plants, having healthy lifestyle and increase cooperation between local communities.

The 0.7 acre land was developed in 2014 by the owner of Expressionz Professional Suits followed by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2016; The National News Agency of Malaysia (BERNAMA) in 2018; Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM) and Chef Liza Sekebun Cinta (2019); and the rest in year 2021.

Librarians Association of Malaysia (PPM), The National News Agency of Malaysia (BERNAMA) and Malaysia Board on Books for Young People (MBBY) are three stakeholders which have members who involve in the field of librarianship. The other seven stakeholders are Chef Liza Sekebun Cinta, Koperasi Komuniti Seri Perlis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Belia Seri Cempaka, Yayasan Patriot Negara Malaysia dan Tokwan Nasi Bendang. Each stakeholder does not own the approximately 20 X 10 square feet land but is responsible for managing and maintaining their respective plots.

The outcome of the development of KBSB can be categorized through four (4) pillars of sustainable development covering social, ecological, cultural and economic through observation and dissemination of Google Form which has been distributed to members of KBSB to acquire feedback on their engagement with KBSB activities, more than 40 feedbacks received. The summary of feedback is as follows:

1. Social - 44.4% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities because they are interested in planting, therefore they came voluntarily. A variety of activities organized has created comfortable and harmonious environment, increase community commitment to voluntary garden development basis and community-based agriculture. 61.1% agreed that the activities they participated is planting and 63.9% is communal work. Crops will be collected by plot owner and then, divided among its members. 47.2% agreed they cooked and eat together. However, the concept of sharing crops and the gardens in the open areas/public lead to vulnerability as stealing crop/plants and equipment. 69.4% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities to attend the monthly activities.

2. Networking - 52.8% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to increase networking among members of the stakeholders. A proven successful working in a team and a good networking has boosted cooperation among local authorities with the community and stakeholders whether government agency, private or non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the media as well as enhancing collaboration among stakeholders members.

3. Health - 61.1 % agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to increase healthier life. Doing planting and recreational activities such as exercising, aerobics, jogging and cycling has improve physical and mental health which 88% agreed. The garden is a poison-free food by using organic fertilizer. The agricultural activities undertake by the members also contributed to low carbon which related to rising temperatures due to development and urban population density. Knowledge about the benefits of the crops via website and bunting displayed at the garden will create awareness about the important of physical health. 50% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to decrease their stress level.

4. Ecology - 50% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to contribute to the environment. KBSB has contributed to the well-being and cheerfulness of the urban community environment. By visiting KBSB, members can increase pride and love for the environment and agricultural education. The garden area as a place for birds, squirrels, butterflies, grasshoppers, various ecological insects.

5. Education - 58.3% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to improve knowledge and skill of agriculture. A proper knowledge and skill is vital to carry out agricultural activities. 63.6% of the respondents agreed that they have practiced the knowledge and skill they acquired at KBSB by planting at home. There are more than 20 photos shared by respondents. 30.6% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities are to inculcate reading habits. Improving interest and reading habits among the community with the Little Free Library - LFL activities which 33.3% agreed the reasons for joining KBSB activities. Reading books while gardening in the middle of a concrete forest can fostering awareness and increasing interest in the importance of agriculture, environmental care, and water quality and water catchment.

6. Economy – Encourage trading during KBSB activities by selling plants, honey and food products.

KBSB stakeholders are not communities living in a nearby area, hence a good and proper planning by the KBSB Committee is vital so as it can be supervised all activities and programs in an orderly manner. The KBSB committee had and will obtain assistance and funds from local authorities and government/private agriculture-based organizations to maintain the garden.

KBSB initiative can contribute to sustainable development in the 21st century in term of social and environmental aspects as well as produce a community with good knowledge in the field of agriculture and environmental as well as increase the spirit of cooperation and life-long learning of its community.