By Archdiocese of KL Creation Justice Ministry
SUNGAI BULOH, Selangor – The KL Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry (CJM) organised an excursion to Akademi HEVEA Malaysia in Sungai Buloh on Feb 7. Sixty-six nature enthusiasts participated in this handson experience of rubber tapping, a much-anticipated opportunity.
The rubber tree, a species native to the tropical rainforest, is grown on approximately 10 million hectares worldwide and provides the raw latex for over 40,000 industrial and consumer products essential to daily life.
The session took place amidst neatly lined-up rubber trees, which were planted four metres apart. Each acre of land contains around 500 trees. For many participants, this was an opportunity to learn more about the rubber plant, while for a few, it brought back childhood memories of witnessing elders tapping rubber.
Various tools of different sizes were displayed. The facilitator explained that the size of the tool doesn’t matter; what’s crucial is the skill to tap rubber. The essential items for tapping include a plastic cup, a hanger, a spring that expands, and a blade. The latex is harvested by slicing a groove into the tree’s bark at a depth of about one-quarter inch with a hooked knife and peeling back the bark.
Participants had the chance to try tapping and quickly realised that the skill requires a lot of practice and precision. Each subsequent cut is made directly below the previous one. After heavy tapping, trees are often given a rest period. Production typically begins when a tree is five or six years old, and with proper care, its productive life can extend for more than 20 years.
Natural rubber latex is sourced from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree, which is widely cultivated in Malaysia and plays a significant role in global environmental protection. Studies show that rubber trees planted worldwide can absorb 363,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, replacing it with 264,000 tonnes of oxygen through photosynthesis. Notably, latex is not collected during rainfall.
A visit to the gallery, which highlighted the diverse uses of rubber across various industries; from aerospace to maritime; was truly enriching. The display featured various grades of latex and rubber products used in different sectors. One key takeaway was that natural rubber and its products biodegrade through a natural biological process. As a result, products such as latex gloves, catheters, and breathing bags made from Malaysian natural rubber are genuinely environmentally friendly.
Participant James shared, “The information on the rubber crop was invaluable and provided a great education.” Another participant remarked, “The session felt like a revision class and a nostalgic trip back to the good old days of rubber tapping.”
The next educational trip will be to the Malaysian Cocoa Board. – Herald Malaysia
