Elizabeth John, New Straits Times 8 Feb 09;
The national heritage status that FRIM is set to receive is a recognition of its importance, writes ELIZABETH JOHN.
IT'S a Garden of Eden and a leader in research, but the real jewel in the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia's crown is its impending national heritage status.
The 80-year-old forest-garden and its institute would be gazetted a national heritage by midyear, said its director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod. The listing will give this 15 million-tree swathe of green not only recognition but also protection against the growing pressure of development.
The institute's grounds sprawl across 486ha in Kepong, on what was once mining land. Work to turn it into a centre for research on forestry began when the scrub and brush were cleared and the first saplings were planted in 1924.
Decades later, this man-made forest has matured into one of the world's oldest and boasts a vast collection of trees and plants, some rarely seen outside its shady grounds.
The push for national heritage status came following the institute's acquisition of its grounds from the state government in August 2007.
FRIM's lush gardens and forests have long been overshadowed by the spectre of development.
Ownership, at the cost of RM9 million premium payment, would provide it greater security, said Abdul Latif.
It will also mean that its botanical garden, scheduled to be officially opened at year-end, is here to stay.
The Kepong Botanical Garden has taken shape on a fallow plot within FRIM's grounds over the past few years.
Seeds were collected from forests in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak and germinated in FRIM before being planted in the garden.
By year-end, the garden is expected to feature some 9,200 trees, ginger, bamboo and orchid gardens and an ornamental garden, among others.
A disabled-friendly educational forest trail, called the Razak Walk, is already in place within the garden.
It houses a vast collection of unique and varied plants sourced from the jungles of the lowlands and highlands.
Significance of heritage status
WHEN Malaysia celebrated its 50th Independence two years ago, 50 subjects were chosen as national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.
The then Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry drew up a list of 18 buildings, 20 objects and 12 cultural practices.
Among them were Parliament House, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the National Palace, the hibiscus flower, the national anthem, lion dance and wayang kulit.
They were chosen for their significance, especially in relation to the country's independence and also for their uniqueness.
The declaration creates public awareness of a need to preserve and conserve national heritage, whether in its tangible, intangible or natural form.
A natural heritage is a site or precisely delineated natural area of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.
Examples include the Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Batu Caves in Selangor, as well as marine parks, wetlands, forest reserves and Orang Asli reserves.
