By: Ameesya Aghniya Ab Rahim
PASIR PUTEH, 30 October – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the Kelantan State Forestry Department (JPNK), has organised a Forest Therapy Course held at the Jeram Linang Forest Eco Park, Pasir Puteh. The programme aims to educate participants on the physical and mental health benefits of forest-based recreational activities.
A total of 20 officers from the Kelantan State Forestry Department took part in the course.
This second-round training programme was conducted in an immersive format, allowing participants to fully experience the principles and practice of forest therapy. The approach provides participants with the opportunity to experience the natural environment for themselves while understanding the importance of human interaction with the forest environment for physical and mental well-being.
Forest therapy is a method that emphasises sensory engagement—through scent, sound, and touch—to calm the mind and enhance personal health.
The head of programme, Dr. Daljit Singh Karam Singh from the Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, said the course was designed not only to provide theoretical understanding but also to equip participants with practical skills to introduce forest therapy effectively to the wider community.
“This course is made possible with the involvement of experienced facilitators from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). The combination of expertise from various universities ensures a more comprehensive, science-based approach that positively supports emotional and spiritual wellbeing,” he said.
Kelantan Forestry Director Tuan Haji Mohd Rahim Ramli expressed his hope that all staff who attended the programme would be able to promote and explain the concept of forest therapy to the public more effectively.
He believes the training will enable JPNK personnel to serve as key advocates in introducing forest therapy as a high-impact activity that can attract more people to appreciate the beauty and benefits of forest ecosystems.
Project lead Prof. Dr. Arifin Abdu, UPM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), said UPM was entrusted by JPNK to implement the initiative, which began at Bukit Bakar Forest Eco Park in 2024.
He emphasised that Kelantan’s pristine forest reserves hold significant potential to be developed as a forest-therapy destination.
“This initiative not only strengthens collaboration between UPM and JPNK but also supports environmental sustainability efforts while creating opportunities for the public to better understand the role of forests in physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing,” he said.
