Forestry Dept Conducts Biodiversity Expedition In Bukit Jernih Forest Reserve

PADANG BESAR, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia conducted a scientific expedition to collect biodiversity information in the Bukit Jernih Forest Reserve near here.

Perlis Forestry Department Director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said the five-day expedition, which began on Friday (July 26), involved 150 people, including 84 researchers, 39 Forestry Department staff members, and 27 volunteers from Perlis Climbers and the Bukit Jernih villagers.

He said similar expeditions were held in the state’s forest reserves in 1999, 2000, 2019 and 2022.

“The focus is to collect and document discoveries in the forest reserve. The Bukit Jernih Forest Reserve consists of limestone hills newly gazetted in 2021 covering an area of approximately 33.78 hectares. So, we don’t have sufficient information about this forest,” he told Bernama.

Elaborating, Ag Shaffie said the researchers made discoveries during the first three days of the expedition, adding that the findings will be confirmed after further examination before being presented in a seminar next year and published in a book.

“Scientific expeditions like this are very helpful for the Forestry Department in assessing our forest management practices, whether they improve the management of the forest or contribute to the deterioration of our biodiversity resources,” he added.

He said the expedition was in line with the order from Perlis Regent Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail for the state to establish a biodiversity centre, adding that the department aims to make Perlis the reference point for biodiversity in the northern zone.

Meanwhile, the expedition’s chief researcher, Prof Dr Rusea Go from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), said they focused on 35 research areas, including its flora and fauna, geology, and rock formations.

“Nine higher learning institutions were involved in this scientific expedition. We hope that the findings will help the community understand what is there in the Bukit Timah Forest Reserve and assist us in preserving them,” she said, adding that the discoveries will also aid in developing eco-tourism in the area.

Department of National Heritage, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Department of Mineral and Geoscience, and the Nature Sustainable Ecosystem Society were also involved in the expedition.