In 1998, the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment launched the National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD). It contains 15 strategies for the effective management of biological diversity. The 15 strategies provide a holistic account of what ought to be done in Malaysia for the wise management of all biological resources. In each of the strategy of the Policy, checklist of action plans are provided describing in more tangible terms what activities are needed to achieve that strategy.
For plant biological diversity, there has not been any concerted effort to deal with its management holistically from both utilisation and conservation perspectives. This is due mainly to the sectoral approach towards its management. The forest where almost all of the indigenous plant resources exist falls within the jurisdiction of a number of stakeholders. The Forest Department manages the forests mainly for timber production, the Game and Wildlife Department (PERHILITAN) manages the protected areas mainly for animal conservation, state governments which are the custodian of the forest land views the forest as asset that could be used. Finally, while the management of the forest resources fall under the state and the Ministry of Primary Industries (the forest department and Forest Research Institute Malaysia are both under this ministry), the protection and the conservation of plants fall under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. As a result particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, there has been a lack of leadership to deal with conservation issues for plants. Tropical Forest Biodiversity Centre that was recently set up in FRIM to act as the plant diversity centre for Malaysia can now take to task the role to fulfil the gaps in Malaysia for plant conservation and study. Using the 15 strategies as the basis, TFBC has been set-up to develop a programme to deal with botanical needs for Malaysia.
The Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Online is a checklist of vascular plants of Peninsular Malaysia. This checklist comprising 8,893 taxonomic names include short descriptions, habitat where they are found, distribution in Peninsular Malaysia, endemism to Peninsular Malaysia and conservation status (IUCN categories used) will be initially provided. Search the The Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Online and view the plant profiles to learn more about these beautiful, imperiled plants.
To fulfil the functions of TFBC, two bureaus or branchs will be set-up within the centre. These bureaus will handle the different functions of the Centre. They are Kepong Botanic Garden and, Forest Conservation (Botany and Herbarium, Forest Conservation and Zoology).
This bureau forms the basis to develop the FRIM campus into a primer botanic garden. Among some key areas of development include:
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Centre for the ex situ collection of indigenous plants of Malaysia
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Centre for horticultural activities
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Centre for landscape activities
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Provides recreational activities in a botanic garden environment
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Provide the ground infra-structure to support the Research and Plant Conservation Monitoring Bureaus to support work on in situ and ex situ activities and research work
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Network with other botanic gardens in Malaysia, e.g. Penang Botanic Gardens
Forest Conservation
This bureau forms the basis to develop the FRIM campus into a primer botanic garden. Among some key areas of development include:
Botany and Herbarium
e-mail: richard@frim.gov.my It is responsible for the development of botanical research in the centre. The bureau will work in mainly three main areas of research development, namely
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Systematic botany and taxonomic research
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Conservation and ecology projects/research
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Plant introduction, domestication and horticultural research
The bureau will also be responsible to the management and curation of the Kepong Herbarium.
Forest Conservation
e-mail: lilian@frim.gov.my It is responsible for the development of botanical research in the centre. The bureau will work in mainly three main areas of research development, namely
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Collation and management of information on threatened plants and habitats of Malaysia
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Developing conservation strategies and implementation of protection and recovery plans for threatened species and habitats. This will involve both in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes.
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Centre for plant conservation. Become the CITES centre on Malaysian plants, coordinate a Red Data Book programme
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Developing monitoring systems towards the conservation of Malaysian plants and their habitats.
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