GEORGE TOWN: After four years of meticulous research and tedious submission processes, the approved paperwork to have Penang Hill and its surrounding areas listed as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve has been successfully submitted to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The nomination dossier was submitted by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry on Sept 29, after it was approved by the Cabinet.
The assessment of the application at Unesco will take about a year to complete.
The proposed Unesco Biosphere Reserve encompasses 20 per cent of Penang island, covering Penang Hill as a central park, the Teluk Bahang National Park and Marine Park, Penang Botanic Gardens, six permanent forest reserves which are the Bukit Kerajaan Forest Reserve, Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve, Laksamana Forest Reserve, Penara Bukit Forest Reserve, Highlands Forest Reserve, and the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve including two dams — the Teluk Bahang Dam and Ayer Hitam Dam.
It is equivalent to 12,481ha of land.
According to Unesco, the biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems or a combination thereof which are internationally recognised within the framework of Unesco's programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB).
The MAB programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to promote innovative approaches to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Announcing this today, Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) said the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve would serve as a central green lung to Penang island, where sustainable economic activities facilitate conservation efforts of the island's natural landscapes.
PHC believed that these efforts could be driven through community stewardship as the MAB framework would demonstrate a balanced relationship between the community and the environment.
This recognition, according to PHC, will further benefit the conservation and preservation efforts of the ecosystems and forest reserves that are rich in biodiversity where various species of flora and fauna have been found, including species that are endemic to the hill range in Penang.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the gazettement would also intensify education for sustainable development and conservation through further scientific research work.
"This could lead the way of Penang becoming a global centre of excellence for research-initiatives about sustainability, biodiversity and conservation driven by local academics, creating spin-off effects and further contribute to the promotion of eco-tourism.
"Through the education components of this project, we will be able to draw greater awareness towards sustainable development in the country and improve livelihood of local communities," said Chow, who is also the PHC chairman.
"While the project is led by PHC, it would not have been possible without the immense support from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and collaborative work with the academias from Universiti Sains Malaysia, The Habitat Foundation and state agencies.
"This effort also signifies Penang government's commitment to preserve and conserve Penang Hill," he added.
Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said he was optimistic about the application and potential it would bring to Penang.
"If our bid to have Penang Hill and its surrounding areas recognised as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, this will be the state's second accolade from the organisation and the third of its kind in Malaysia. George Town was the first to be recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site 12 years ago in 2008.
"With this additional status, we can expect greater transformation efforts put in to preserve and conserve our cultural heritage and natural landscapes that are unique to Penang.
"This will in turn promote Penang as an eco-tourism site and add the variety of attractions we can offer to tourists," he added.
At present, Unesco's World Network of Biosphere Reserves lists 701 sites in 124 countries, including 21 transboundary sites.
There are only two Unesco reserves in Malaysia — Tasik Chini in Pahang and the Crocker Range, south of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.
They were accorded the Unesco reserve status in 2009 and 2014 respectively.