Study being done on 1,000 Gunung Ledang flora species

TANGKAK: A six-month scientific study on the more than 1,000 flora species on Gunung Ledang has started.

It is being carried out by the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM) and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).

“It is a scientific study to identify the nutritional values, potential, diversity, advantages, benefits and uses of the plants there,” said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Hamim Samuri.

He said this to reporters after launching a community service programme of the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in Kampung Orang Asli Tanah Gembur, here yesterday.

Hamim said there were many plant species, especially herbs and roots on Gunung Ledang, which had high nutritional value and properties but no specific research had yet been done.

He added the people living on Gunung Ledang, especially the Orang Asli community, used these plants as traditional medicine as they are aware of the high medicinal properties and their various uses.

During his speech, Hamim, also the Ledang MP, urged the Orang Asli community to assist in the research as they were familiar with these nutritional plants and their properties.

“This can be done through education so that the children of the Orang Asli entering public or private universities can specialise in studying the benefits of these plants,” he added.

Gunung Ledang’s summit is located between the border of Muar and Malacca. Standing at 1,276m, the mountain is a popular destination favoured by amateur climbers.

Gunung Ledang is also the 64th highest mountain in Malaysia.