KUALA LUMPUR: Top Glove Corporation Bhd, through its charitable arm, the Top Glove Foundation (TGF), is committed to a series of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives, aimed at conserving nature and supporting the livelihoods of the local community.

This commitment is exemplified by the ongoing sponsorship by the world's largest manufacturer of gloves of the Sijangkang Mangrove Recreational Park (SMRP).

Managing director Lim Cheong Guan said the company allocates close to RM1 million annually for its overall ESG projects.

"For the SMRP project, we allocate about RM50,000 on a yearly basis.

"However, what's more important for us isn't just the monetary aspect but also the involvement of people. What is beneficial for the company, in my opinion, is firstly our partnership that helps improve the environment through this initiative," he told reporters at a mangrove planting event at the SMRP on Saturday.

Additionally, he said that as a homegrown business entity, the responsibility towards communities and the environment aligns harmoniously with the company's commitment to global sustainability endeavours and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 15 (Life on Land) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Top Glove Foundation senior manager Ng Mei Fong explained that the foundation is built upon three pillars, namely community, environment and education.

"Our core focus is on these areas. In terms of environmental initiatives, we aim to do more than just provide funding; our goal is to continuously conserve the environment," she said.

Meanwhile, Taman Rekreasi Paya Bakau, Kampung Sijangkang community head Suhaimi Sanusi said the local community had worked hard to rehabilitate the site so that it is a space where people can come to relax and learn about one of the most precious natural resources, the mangrove forest.

"We are grateful to have the support of corporates, such as Top Glove and many others, educational institutions and statutory agencies like the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, to help our ongoing efforts in preserving and improving this park," he said.

Since its establishment in March 2021, the glove manufacturer's flagship mangrove nursery and plantation project at SMRP has been a driving force in preserving the natural environment and uplifting the local community. What was once a site plagued by illegal dumping has been reinvigorated by the collective endeavours of Kampung Sijangkang villagers, transforming it into a space that emphasises preservation, education, and recreation.

During the weekend's event, there was remarkable engagement, with dedicated Top Glove employees and board members coming together to plant mangrove propagules, or young mangrove plants.

To date, TGF has established three nurseries and nurtured over 3,750 young mangrove plants.