Pulau Banding Creates Another MBOR Milestone In Forest Monitoring

IPOH, May 13 (Bernama) -- The Belum-Temengor Rainforest in Pulau Banding, Gerik has once again made history after being recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for “The Most Trees Assessed In A Forest Health Monitoring Programme”, with 1,019 trees successfully evaluated.

The Pulau Banding Foundation said the recognition was achieved through the Eco Guardian Initiative Programme (eGIP) 2026, which involved more than 250 student volunteers from public universities, private higher education institutions, as well as international students from Sri Lanka and Indonesia at UMK-TRaCe, Pulau Banding.

The foundation said the achievement makes Pulau Banding the first location in Malaysia to record MBOR achievements for biodiversity and forest monitoring-based programmes for two consecutive years.

“In 2025, Pulau Banding also received MBOR recognition in the category of ‘Most Biodiversity Species Identified In A Programme’ following the discovery and identification of various biodiversity species in the Royal Belum-Temengor landscape,” it said in a statement.

The eGIP 2026 programme was jointly organised by the Ministry of Higher Education through the Student Affairs Division under the Department of Higher Education (JPT), the Malaysian Public Universities Volunteer Council, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Yayasan Perkasa Siswa and the Pulau Banding Foundation, with support from the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO.

JPT Student Affairs director Hirman Awang said eGIP 2026 serves as an important platform to strengthen volunteerism and environmental sustainability among students.

“The living laboratory approach in Royal Belum-Temengor provides valuable field experience for students to better understand biodiversity conservation and the importance of maintaining the nation’s ecosystem balance.

“More importantly, this Malaysia Book of Records achievement shows that Malaysia’s student volunteer movement has strong potential to create meaningful impact on the environment and society,” he said.

He also announced that the JPT Student Affairs Division would provide a special grant of RM100,000 to 20 public universities, with each institution receiving RM5,000 to ensure the continuity of eGIP as a high-impact annual programme to be organised on a rotational basis among participating universities.

Meanwhile, UMK-TRaCe director Dr Muhammad Firdaus Abd Karim said the successful assessment of 1,019 trees within a short period demonstrated the effectiveness of volunteer-based forest monitoring supported by field technology.

This programme not only achieved a national record, but also generated significant field data to better understand the forest health status of the Royal Belum-Temengor landscape.

“Observations showed the area continues to maintain good ecological health, with suitable canopy cover and soil conditions to support tropical biodiversity. The presence of various wildlife species also proves the area remains an important habitat for the nation’s biodiversity,” he said.

Among the field data recorded during the programme were tree diameter measurements (DBH), tree height, trunk condition, species status, soil pH readings, soil moisture, canopy cover, fungal presence, litter pollution and wildlife sightings.

The findings also showed that the Royal Belum-Temengor landscape continues to maintain strong ecological characteristics, with average canopy cover ranging from 35.45 to 63.9 per cent and an average soil pH reading of around 6.5, suitable for most tropical forest species.

Various signs of wildlife presence were also recorded, including birds, primates, deer, reptiles and animal tracks, indicating the area continues to function as an important habitat for the country’s biodiversity.

Student Secretariat director and chief student volunteer Nadhirah Mohd Noor Azman said the participation of students from various universities and countries helped foster cooperation and raise awareness on the importance of environmental conservation.

The success of eGIP 2026 was also supported by the Perak Forestry Department, Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC), Belum Rainforest Resort, the Perak Fisheries Department, Gerik District Council, the Perak Public Works Department and the Hulu Perak District and Land Office.

Other agencies and organisations involved included the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue Department, Gerik Hospital, District Health Office, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), MBOR, the Malaysian Arborist Association and programme sponsor Extra Joss.

-- BERNAMA