KOTA KINABALU: Invasive plant species are threatening the endemic flora along Mount Kinabalu heritage site routes.
Constant monitoring is carried out by the authorities to ensure these alien or invasive species are weeded out.
Recently, 106kg of one invasive species called the false dandelion were destroyed during a corporate social responsibility programme organised by i-GURU and Sabah Parks.
During the three-day programme from Saturday (Aug 31), 67 participants – to symbolise Malaysia’s 67th National Day celebrations – uprooted invasive plants on the mountain trails.
Sabah Parks ecology research officer Vanielie T. Justine said 98 invasive species have been identified in this World Heritage site.
“For this programme, participants managed to weed out 106kg of false dandelions,” he said, adding that such efforts were vital to protect the endemic plants and organisms in the area.
He said if invasive plants were allowed to grow unchecked, it would affect the ecosystem and slowly destroy native plants.
Sabah i-GURU chairman Mumahad Amin Ribbang said this CSR exercise is part of the organisation's ongoing programmes to promote educational activities among staff and students.
He said it was important to hold programmes to create awareness and encourage learning among the community while doing something for society.
“We hope to elevate Sabah’s education level as high as Mount Kinabalu,” he said after the event.
According to Sabah Parks, Kinabalu Park is a hotspot for plant biodiversity with an estimate of around 5,000 to 6,000 vascular plants found there.
These plants, from 200 families and 1,000 genera (species) make up 14% of the flora in the Malesia phytogeographical region, or about 2.5% of the earth’s flora.
