KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — A once-barren plot of land in the city centre has been transformed into a lush herb garden through the local community's initiative, becoming a green learning site for students and visitors keen to learn about local plants.
Sungai Bunus Urban Garden advisor Ahmad Shamsul Hanafiah said the community project, covering 1.14 acres, began modestly in 2014 and has now become a model of successful ecological farming in an urban area.
“The land, once left idle on the edge of the Sungai Bunus flood retention pond, is now thriving with various crops, including eggplants, pandan, lemongrass, starfruit, spinach, and a range of other herbs.
“All the produce is chemical-free, as we practise ecological farming techniques learned from fellow community gardeners,” he told Media Selangor during the Kuala Lumpur Park Festival 2025 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa yesterday.
Shamsul added that the Sungai Bunus Urban Garden Club’s second participation in the festival aims to encourage city dwellers to make use of vacant land around their homes.
“We want to show that anyone can grow plants even while living in the city. Even a small patch of land can be turned into a productive space for herbs or vegetables for daily use,” he said.
Besides fostering an interest in farming among urban communities, Shamsul noted that such efforts can also help reduce household expenses and promote environmental sustainability.
The community garden — managed through collaboration between the local residents, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) via the Local Agenda 21 (LA21 KL) initiative, and several NGOs — also serves as a learning site for school students and community groups interested in ecological cultivation techniques, organic fertilisers, and sustainable garden management.
The 10-day festival, taking place from October 16 to October 26 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, is not merely a landscape exhibition but also a platform to empower city residents through the sharing of knowledge, green innovation, and sustainable living practices.
