Past and present: The hills of Kepong were terraced for vegetable farming at the turn of the 20th century (photo courtesy of FRIM), before they were transformed and became an ecosystem closely resembling a natural tropical rainforest where FRIM’s Selangor Forest Park is located.
FRIM’s Selangor Forest Park now a Unesco World Heritage Site
PUTRAJAYA: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia’s (FRIM) Selangor Forest Park has been officially listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan said the recognition affirms FRIM’s pioneering and crucial role in forest research, rehabilitation and sustainable management.
Although FRIM was only officially set up and named in 1985, the herculean restoration of the site stretches way back more than a hundred years ago to the 1910s.
“It feels like a gift, as we are celebrating FRIM’s 40th anniversary this year. We are very pleased that our collective hard work has paid off,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ismail said this marks a significant achievement not only for FRIM but Malaysia as a whole.
“It is a reflection of Malaysia’s leadership in tropical forest conservation, and showcases our commitment to conserve, restore and protect degraded forest ecosystems through science and innovation.
“It strengthens our motivation to work harder to protect and ensure the sustainability of our country’s forests and biodiversity resources for generations to come,” he said.
He said FRIM’s forest stands as a living testament to hope, resilience and transformation from a barren, degraded land to a lush green landscape now recognised on the global stage.
Ismail expressed hope that the recognition would set a new benchmark, further strengthening FRIM’s credibility and reputation as a leading institution in tropical forestry research.
nowInterview officers from Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) for the recently tree inccident cases in town. — SIA HONG KIAU/The Star
“This can broaden our impact, serve the nation more effectively and inspire the replication of our success stories well beyond Selangor Forest Park,” he said.
The announcement was made on July 11 during the 47th session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee, held from July 6 to 16 at the Paris headquarters of Unesco, said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“FRIM Selangor Forest Park is a unique site and represents one of the earliest large-scale tropical forest ecosystem restoration efforts through the replanting of trees in a former tin mining area,” the ministry said in a statement.
“This initiative has set an international benchmark by successfully creating an ecosystem that closely resembles a natural tropical rainforest, rich in tree species diversity and overall biodiversity.”
It also said the listing was decided by the 21-member states of the World Heritage Committee, following a nomination process that began in 2013.
The inscription of the forest park affirms Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to protecting and conserving natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value while enhancing the country’s visibility on the global stage, the ministry added.
“The ministry is confident that this recognition will add significant value to FRIM Selangor Forest Park as a key tourism product in Selangor.
“In line with Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Selangor Year 2025, this achievement is expected to boost international tourist arrivals and contribute to Malaysia’s economy, particularly benefiting local communities,” the statement added.
With this latest listing, Malaysia now has six Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The other sites are Kinabalu Park (2000), Gunung Mulu National Park (2000), the Historic Cities of the Strait of Malacca – Melaka and George Town (2008), the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (2012), and the Archaeological Heritage of the Niah National Park Caves Complex (2024).
To date, a total of 1,223 sites worldwide have been inscribed under the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage.
