The Edge Online - Tropicana Corp, UKM researcher fosters biodiversity of Dragonfly Pond in Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 26): Tropicana Corp Bhd’s collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) researcher Choong Chee Yen to foster the biodiversity of its Dragonfly Pond at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort has resulted in drawing 14 dragonfly and damselfly species to the resort.
A press statement on Monday (Sept 25) explained that the pond’s success is complemented by the planting of more than 16 aquatic and non-aquatic flora species. These include sedges and reeds such as Lepironia articulata and papyrus to provide perches for the dragonflies, as well as frangipani and variegated jasmine among others. This initiative also helped control the pond’s and surrounding landscape’s pest populations.
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In the statement, Tropicana Corp’s group managing director Dion Tan said the initiative shows the developer’s commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles throughout its planning, design and operation of its developments.
“As a responsible community builder, Tropicana Group has practiced sustainability across its signature master developments since its inception. The Dragonfly Pond project is a testament to this drive, embodying our ‘ESG DNA of People, Planet and Partnership’ as we accelerate our sustainability journey, in line with the evolving social and regulatory environment,” Tan shared.
The Dragonfly Pond saw the introduction of 88 Tramea transmarina, also known as Saddlebag Glider dragonfly larvae, into Tropicana Golf & Country Resort in 2021. Choong said, “Following the introduction of the Saddlebag Glider larvae, subsequent observations have found them breeding successfully, with 13 additional species of dragonflies and damselflies extant at the pond. These include species such as the Blue Dashers, Common Flangetails, Crimson Dropwings, Variegated Green Skimmers, Whitebarred Duskhawks, Sultans, Yellow-barred Flutterers, Scarlet Skimmers, Blue Adjutants, Chinese Greenwings, Common Bluetails, Blue Sprites and Variable Wisps”.
Apart from the Dragonfly Pond, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort also has other sustainability initiatives such as a solar panel system. Other Tropicana projects that have sustainability features include a windmill-powered biofiltration at Tropicana Metropark’s 4.4-acre lake in Subang Jaya, as well as native khaya, rain and flametree conservation in Tropicana Heights.