KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Kuala Lumpur is turning to technology to keep a closer watch on its ageing trees, with City Hall set to install at least 200 sensors that can flag potential hazards in real time.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said the sensors would be placed on selected mature trees about 1.2 metres above ground and linked to DBKL’s control centre, The Star reported.

The system is expected to provide real-time indicators of a tree’s condition, allowing DBKL to act quickly when a tree is found to pose a danger to the public.

The move forms the second phase of DBKL’s urban tree management programme after the city completed the mapping of 25,000 trees earlier this year with funding from the Digital Ministry.

Fadlun said the mapping exercise had enabled DBKL to assess the health of trees across the capital and identify those requiring closer monitoring.

He said the new system would focus on mature trees in areas such as Jalan Ampang, with the aim of preserving healthy trees rather than removing them unnecessarily.

“If a tree is still healthy, we will preserve it by supporting branches that have the potential to fall instead of cutting the tree down outright,” he told reporters at the launch of the Taman Tugu Plot Adoption Programme yesterday.

DBKL also plans to plant 200 trees and will seek funding to support the effort, he said.

The technology push comes as the city continues carrying out tree mitigation works at locations where urban trees could pose risks to motorists and pedestrians.

Last month, DBKL said such works were being carried out in Bukit Bintang, Lembah Pantai and Batu, including at Selera Medan Bunus, Jalan Pantai Murni, Jalan Pantai Permai, Jalan Haji Salleh, Jalan Sinar Sentul and the JPK Towing Depot along Jalan Sentul.

The mitigation works followed the death of a man when a tree fell onto his car along Jalan Tun Razak near the Singapore Embassy in July.

Another vehicle carrying seven people, including an infant, was also hit in the incident, with all occupants taken to hospital for treatment.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said efforts to protect Kuala Lumpur’s green spaces must continue alongside development.

Yeoh said her ministry had contributed RM50,000 towards tree planting and maintenance at Taman Tugu, with DBKL matching the allocation.

The Taman Tugu Plot Adoption Programme brings together government agencies, corporate partners, community groups and members of the public to restore and maintain the urban forest.

Under the programme, each 9sqm plot will be planted with native Malaysian forest tree species to help preserve Taman Tugu’s natural ecosystem.