The Hills Don't Grow Back: My Journey into Sustainability

by Thiru Jallendran

My boy and his friends doing the customary cap toss

This blogpost is long overdue. About four months ago, I watched with immense pride as our firstborn graduated with First Class Honours in Software Engineering from the University of Sydney. As I recorded him walking across the stage to receive his scroll, a vivid memory from years earlier surfaced—him as a curious seven-year-old on a road trip to Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.

We were driving towards the foothills of the Titiwangsa Mountains, passing a massive limestone quarry. Being the engineer I am, I couldn’t resist explaining the intricacies of marble and limestone extraction. My son, however, had his eyes glued to the half-cut hills and jagged karst formations. Then, midway through my monologue, he asked, “Dad, how long will it take for the hills to grow back?”

I swear, something shifted in me when I heard that question. Kids say the darnedest things, don’t they? I can’t remember exactly how I responded—perhaps I changed the subject—but his words stuck with me. That simple, innocent question instilled a sense of urgency in me, both as a professional and as a custodian of my children’s future. The hills wouldn’t grow back, but we had to ensure the next generation would still have hills to cherish.

That same year, I intensified my efforts. We launched the Malaysia Green Building Council and introduced the Green Building Index, the Malaysian green buildings rating tool. Later that year, I helped create the Green Pages Malaysia, a directory of green building products and services. We weren’t just talking about change; we were making it happen. The urgency was palpable—we had to get it done.

Determined to make a lasting impact, I shifted my career to focus on sustainability. My goal was clear: to ensure that future generations could enjoy the natural beauty I grew up with. I dove into sustainable design, project management, and advocating for eco-friendly practices. My mission became to prevent the destruction of our natural resources and to promote a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

The hills may not grow back, but through sustainable practices, we can protect what remains. We can design cities that live in balance with nature, push for policies that prioritize conservation, and educate others on the critical importance of sustainability. Every action counts. Together, we can create a future where nature and the human spirit can thrive for generations to come.

As for my son, I’m confident he will go on to scale greater heights, experiencing life in his own unique way. My only hope is that, by dedicating myself to sustainability, I’ve done right by him—and by all future generations—by choosing a path that strives to preserve and protect the world we live in.