Penang Hill: Final stage of joining Unesco Biosphere Reserve network

GEORGE TOWN (August 3): In effort to conserve and protect the delicate balance between the environment and the people, Penang Hill is undergoing the process of being named a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

Penang Hill, a lush, undisturbed forest with virgin jungle reserves has been found to house 85 species of orchids, more than 100 species of birds, three iconic species of monkeys, as well as several plant, ant and spider species unique to the hill range.

The team that documented its treasures, led by scientist Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, is in the process of finalising dossiers to be submitted to Unesco, in order to have Penang Hill listed as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, which denotes a protected area that demonstrates a sustainable relationship between people and nature. 

“Everyone wanted this to happen,” Siti Azizah said to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), speaking of her six team members that had worked at remarkable speed, starting in September 2016, and reaching the final stages of the process within two years, while others have taken five to 10 years to complete their dossiers. 

“We are working towards the deadline on Sept 30,” she told FMT.

The scientist and her team were helped by The Habitat Foundation, an ecotourism enterprise, and the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC).

“The residents within the area were also very welcoming and supportive. 

“As for the fishermen, they were very well versed. They very much wanted the place to be conserved, so that by doing so in a sustainable way, it will help preserve their livelihood,” she said.

Siti Azizah is currently a principal research fellow at the Institute of Marine Biotechnology in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

In the area, her team have also found thriving fruit orchards, durian, nutmeg, and vegetable gardens.

Siti Azizah noted that these agricultural developments had the potential to integrate sustainable water and soil technologies into their operations, and told FMT that the area could be utilised as a demonstration site for up-to-date green technologies.  

She also said that there would be improvements in the livelihoods of those involved in the downstream activities that resulted in preserved or dried fish products, nutmeg jam and bee honey.

Malaysia is currently home to just two Unesco reserves – Tasik Chini in Pahang and the Crocker Range, south of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. 

The total proposed area in Penang measures approximately 12,481 hectares, with 7,285ha inland and 5,196ha marine.

Approximately 80% of the area is privately owned.