BANGI, Aug 17 — Amid the rows of residential buildings and the busy streets of Bangi Avenue 3 lies a 400-square-metre community garden that has become a focal point for residents, not only for planting crops, but also as a ‘healing’ space to relieve the stresses of urban life.
Its founder Muhammad Hafiz Shaari said the garden, which boasts over 25 types of plants, has become a place for residents to find peace of mind or ‘healing’ from the pressures of city living.
“I work in an office myself. Some people wonder whether this idea of ‘healing’ is real, but it truly is, 100 per cent.
"When we get to spend time in the garden, planting and harvesting together with neighbours, it brings inner satisfaction and strengthens community bonds,” said the IT consultant to Media Selangor during a recent interview last month.
Hafiz explained that the project has been met with strong support from residents, even though it is still in its early stages, having only been launched in May last year.
“Our garden concept is that residents’ crops should be productive; not just planted for decoration, but primarily for food.
“Among the crops we grow are kailan (Chinese broccoli), kangkung (water spinach), sawi (mustard greens), pak choi, spinach, and many more,” he said.
In the garden, 50 residents from various backgrounds manage it in rotation, taking turns to water, clean, and harvest the plants.
Another volunteer, Mariani Cik Daud, echoed Hafiz's sentiments, saying that the community garden has become a valuable way to spend her free time, which she previously spent mostly at home.
She noted that it not only improves physical health but also helps to relieve boredom.
“Here we get to work up a sweat, meet friends, and most importantly, we no longer need to go to the shops to buy vegetables,” Mariani said while tending to the crops.
She added that the local residents' support for the garden has been strong enough that some are even pre-ordering vegetables before they are put on sale.
The Bangi Avenue 3 residents prefer to interact with nature and enjoy a more organic lifestyle.
The community garden phenomenon has been growing in Selangor since the state government began encouraging food security programmes and urban gardens in residential areas.
By 2025, there will be more than 200 community gardens registered with the local authorities throughout Selangor.
This initiative forms part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen food security, reduce the cost of living, and foster closer community ties.
