Conserve, Innovate and Educate’ Initiative (CIE)
FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA

A. Problem Analysis

 1. What was the problem before the implementation of the initiative?
Increased land development and population has resulted in escalating demand of natural resources for various needs and purposes. Lack of awareness or ignorance towards the importance of ‘green’ stands among the society did not promote the transformation of real values of forestry R&D into tangible outcome and applicable practices. As such, decision making concerning the utilisation of natural resources often impedes the importance of its conservation through sustainable development of the nation. Prior to October 2003, FRIM’s man-made tropical forest that has been established since 1920’s was also subjected for the above-mentioned issue. FRIM applies a ‘multiple outcomes impact’ approach to its work which balances research, development, conservation and commercialisation of its ‘sciences—green products’ and ensures FRIM specifically and positively addresses the priority issues or challenges faced by all stakeholders concerned in the tropical countries. These being global warming, degraded environmental quality, climate change effects, scarcity and pressure of natural resources supply, competing functions of forests, global standardisation and strict market constraint and accreditation. For example, there are stringent regulations and requirements set by importing countries for timber products and natural resources—California Air Resources Board (CARB), Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS) for plywood and structural panel formaldehyde emission, ift Rosenheim guidelines for window scantling manufacturers, European Union (EU) directive against the usage of borates to treat rubberwood, and International Standard Organisation (ISO) management standards to operate in a socially responsible way. A series of awards and achievements received by FRIM recognised the greater prominence to FRIM’s wide ranging expertise, award-winning research, authoritative benchmarked facilities and exemplary contributions to the management and sustainable use of Malaysian forest resources. It also further promotes the issues of global warming, degraded environmental quality, climate change effects and the pressure on natural resources for tropical countries.

B. Strategic Approach

 2. What was the solution?
Prior to October 2003, FRIM’s man-made tropical forests, established since 1920’s was subjected to various threats pertaining to land development and urbanisation. Inspired by Dato’ Dr Abd. Latif Mohmod, the then FRIM’s Deputy Director-General (Operations), the institute was restructured on 1 October 2003 to mark the birth of its ‘Conserve, Innovate and Educate’ Initiative (CIE). The CIE, underlined by a comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CMP), was implemented through Research, Development, Commercialization and Application (R,D,C&A) programmes that ensures every scientific discovery/breakthrough of FRIM ‘Sciences—Green Products’ creates 'high impact' to industry sectors, as a means towards addressing the current issues/challenges faced at national level or international scene. The establishment of a legal boundary for forestry and forest products R&D and effective governance of R,D,C&A activities at FRIM is vital. This was achieved when FRIM’s ground was free from encroachments of 32 squatters, 34 illegal establishments and 13 illegal structures that had been in existence since 1960’s. Thus, it paves the way for FRIM’s CMP, encompassing FRIM campus and its man-made forests. Impressed by the sound CMP, on 2 August 2007, the Selangor State Government awarded ‘a land title’ for FRIM, totalled 515.2 hectares. The land was gazetted as A Natural Heritage Site under National Heritage Act 2005. FRIM’s land was upgraded to 544.3 ha on 4 July 2012, upon reclassification. The same year saw FRIM declared as A National Heritage, and progressed as the only Asian Research Institution to date, to have its land title. This ratifies the protection of FRIM tropical forests for continued R&D as well as for the enjoyment of future generations. The above accomplishment acknowledged FRIM’s utmost commitment in ensuring optimum usage and management of natural resources, and conservation of the environment for the benefits of mankind. FRIM success factors markedly demonstrate the ‘multiple outcomes impact’ approach in its attempts to strike a balance between research, development, conservation and commercialisation of its ‘sciences—green products’, thus ensures FRIM addresses the priority issues or challenges faced by all stakeholders concerned in the tropical countries. For example, FRIM engaged considerably in carbon offsetting projects which enable individuals, companies and countries to reduce their CO2 emissions by offsetting, reducing or displacing CO2 in other places. Today, FRIM’s research and testing facilities have become an authoritative benchmark for forestry sector worldwide, focused on assisting manufacturers and traders of wood-based and forest-related products. These include the California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant testing system for wood products; ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratories for wood and wood-based products; ISO 9001:2008 certification for research and development, and support services for the development of forestry sector; GMP-compliant herbal processing facilities; BioNexus accredited laboratories for agro- and natural-products; and the Furniture Industry Research Association of the UK (FIRA) compliant furniture testing facilities. In addition, FRIM's three Proficiency Testing Programmes have been recognised by the Standards Malaysia as the industry's referral schemes. The above technological advancement is crucial in ensuring the Malaysian wood- and forest-based industries to remain competitive in the global market. With a vision to be a world leader in tropical forestry research by 2020, FRIM aspires to provide solutions or enabling measures for: • Sustainable forest management including biodiversity and environmental studies. • High value-added products manufacture from forest resources—timber and non-timber. • Development of herbal products and drug discovery from medicinal and aromatic plants. FRIM also extended its R,D,C&A impacts to a large number of international collaborating agencies such as International Tropical Timber Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, Overseas Development Administration (United Kingdom), Japan International Cooperation Agency, Plant Resources of Southeast Asia, the Netherlands and Danish Environmental Assistance.

 3. How did the initiative solve the problem and improve people’s lives?
FRIM’s CMP addresses the importance of safeguarding the natural resources for future generations. The plan is centred on 'conservation of natural resources through R,D,C&A’ that ensures FRIM’s ‘Sciences—Green Products’ discovery/breakthrough addresses the challenges or issues faced at the national level or international scene. The 0.537-impact factor Journal of Tropical Forest Science and innovative discoveries are FRIM’s notable scientific outcomes. Through CMP, emphasis was also placed on producing wider readership publications in the form of coffee table books. These publications served as authentic references to the progressive development of tropical forestry sector in Malaysia and the region. FRIM CIE carved huge economic impact to the forestry sectors. Among FRIM’s prominent discoveries include ‘converting rubberwood–once a fuel-wood to value-added furniture’, ‘mangrove-planting technique in tsunami prone areas’, ‘forestry forensic to curb illegal logging’, ‘forest enrichment’, ‘high temperature drying (HTD) lumber treatment system’, ‘biofuels from industries’ by-products’, ‘pulp and paper products from non-wood’, ‘biodegradable disinfectant’, and ‘national germplasm bank for threatened and endangered forest species’. The Malaysian rubberwood-reliant furniture industry generates RM6 billion of export revenues annually. FRIM campus with its supporting ecotourism facilities is the tourists' iconic destination that indirectly contributes about RM5 billion worth of the country's eco-tourism industry.

C. Execution and Implementation

 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
FRIM acknowledges the participation of its stakeholders that will enhance the success rate in implementing the key strategies in FRIM’s CMP. The laid down strategies and action plan were ensured complies with the regulatory requirements and conform to the best practices while deliverables were focused on meeting the needs of the beneficiaries. Through this approach, invaluable additional information and demand from the stakeholders can be added into and transformed into the project requirements that will lay a stronger foundation to the initiation of such undertakings. Being the referral research institution, FRIM’s role being the key implementing agency is endorsed at the National Committee governed by the concerned and relevant ministries. This committee oversees the scope of work and responsibilities of parties involved whereby such commitments are documented and inked via Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). This approach is being applied while undertaking both international and national collaborative projects. FRIM further recognises the importance of having a comprehensive work plan that warrants efficient and effective implementation of such R,D,C&A activities under its CIE strategy. For that, working committees namely the Project Steering Committee (PTC) and Project Technical Committee (PTC) were established. These committees will be responsible in ensuring that the key milestones and deliverables are efficiently, effectively and accordingly delivered. These committees meet on a regular basis that was agreed upon within the context of the scope of activities. While the project scope, specifications and key outcomes are among the key items deliberated in the PSC meetings, milestones progress and achievements are generally discussed during the PTC meetings to reflect on-going and actual development on the ground. Findings from all the activities were then compiled, documented and made available to all parties concerned. During the course of implementing such initiative, regular training and technical courses were organised and coordinated by FRIM so as to provide the latest updates and know-how to the beneficiaries. In doing so, effective transfer of technology is ensured especially in areas such as tree-planting of forest enrichment and urban landscaping projects because different phases of development demands specific approaches and maintenance techniques in order to reap the optimum impact and outcome from such project. While efforts are being deployed by FRIM, via relevant technical courses and training, to produce knowledgeable human resources amongst the stakeholders, pools of experienced professionals (scientists and technicians) as well as accredited laboratories are made available in FRIM to attend to the customers’ need and requirement as and when needed. As such, all stakeholders would gain the benefit of having the utmost support of FRIM in ensuring their products and services remain competitive in the commercial field locally and internationally. On top of the above mentioned course of actions, periodically, authorities, industries and other stakeholders were consulted by FRIM to form a consultative group that will discuss emerging issues and challenges concerning the relevant sectors. Options and resolutions derived from the forum were then translated into actions in the form of trials and/or methods that promote better impact and provide the maximum benefit to the eventual end-users. To date, FRIM has chaired and/or participated in numerous consultative group pertaining to R,DC&A related subjects such as ‘national timber industry way forward’, ‘conservation of national biodiversity’, ‘natural products development and drug discovery’, ‘sustainable forest management’, ‘forestry sector development’, ‘arid/barren land rehabilitation’, ‘germplasm bank for threatened and endangered forest species’, and ‘urban landscape and greening the city centre’.

 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
In general, the stakeholders of FRIM cover the general public, industries, NGOs and government agencies. The general public covers neighbouring communities, school children, indigenous people, etc is one of the key recipients in FRIM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. While industries are confined among others to wood-based sector, traditional medicine practitioners, natural products manufacturers, plantation companies, small and medium enterprises, forest concessionaires, forest managers, and associations of various industries. FRIM works closely with various NGOs such as Malaysian Nature Society, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Malaysia Zoological Society. As of the government agencies, FRIM’s main businesses are linked directly with the following ministries—Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities; Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries and Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. On top of that, other direct beneficiaries of FRIM’s R,D,C&A are local authorities and town planner/developer such as Putrajaya Corporation; Kuala Lumpur International Airport Berhad, City Hall of Kuala Lumpur; Sepang Municipal Council; Taiping Municipal Council; Mutiara Rini Johor Bahru and Shah Alam; Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak; Universiti Malaysia Pahang; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Eco Forest Damansara; Paya indah Wetland and the National Zoo. In those involvements, FRIM’s ‘Sciences—Green Products’ have been remarkably crucial and significant to the said stakeholders, particularly in the fields of but not limited to; (a) Early childhood educational and environmental appreciation programmes (b) Strategic plan in National Forest Plantation Programme to plant 375,000 ha in Peninsular Malaysia with forest species by the year 2025. (c) Commercialisation and exportation of highly demanded locally manufactured timber floorings from rubberwood. (d) Development, verification and authentication of natural and aromatic products in Malaysia. (e) Conservation of threatened forest species. (f) Urban forestry landscape development and sustenance. (g) Barren land rehabilitation with forest species.
 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
In charting the course of meeting its vision and mission via strategic implementation of CIE initiative, FRIM recognises the influential role of funding provided by the government. Out of the total annual budget received, nearly 84% is spent on operational affairs, about 14% allocated for development in support of FRIM’s R,D,C&A programmes and slightly more than 2% is for specific research. As such, proper planning and appropriate spending have been given close attention to ensure FRIM’s CMP is successfully progressing according to its key development phases. FRIM utilises the government fund mostly to enhance its technical capabilities. This could be traceable in equipping its laboratories with state-of-art facilities; establishing a quality work systems, procedures as well as guiding principles; and striving towards putting the real values of R&D outcomes and impacts into the commercial world in the form of products, industry-best practices, manufacturing protocols and processes, and testing and/or authentication schemes. In view of carrying out research activities, most FRIM’s R&D grants were obtained through best bidding approach from various funding mechanisms. In most cases, projects that carry more commercial potential or of applied research in nature were granted with higher funding. FRIM does provide internal funding for its researchers but is limited to facilitate probing of specific research intent. As research funding from the government is very competitive, a strategic undertaking with direct beneficiary or stakeholder is one of the more favourable options for FRIM researchers. The win, win strategy is one of the best approaches in securing funding especially for such projects aiming towards commercial uptake or manufacturing. To date, FRIM has entered into no less than 100 strategic collaborations with relevant partners locally and internationally; about 70% has its own funding obtained from various sources. In term of human resources, FRIM pledges to ascertain that its key asset be given ample opportunities to enhance their technical capability and competencies through various kind of training and capacity buildings. The opportunities of involved in cross-sectoral and inter-agencies collaborative works also provide avenues for FRIM’s personnel to gain invaluable exposure and experience relevant to their field of expertise and specialisation. Nonetheless, while funding is seen as a limiting factor, over the years, FRIM does grow from strength to strength in delivering its ‘Sciences—Green Products’ to its hosts of clients and stakeholders. This is achievable by allowing its personnel to excel in their fields and equipped themselves with the relevant skills and competencies during their years of services. This commendable effort has resulted in generation of a pool of multi-disciplinary experts and resource persons in FRIM that are highly sought after by clients.

 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
Five concrete outputs of FRIM’s ‘Sciences—Green Products’ are; (a) FRIM’s land—ex-tin tailings area turned into a man-made tropical forest. A National Heritage site, also known as ecological tourism spot; showcases world leading reforestation standards for ex-mining/severely degraded land. FRIM’s 544.3 hectare site and its 125 hectare afforestation research centre therefore represent a comprehensive biodiversity depository for future R&D, comprising 354 species of ex-situ cultivation, 13 critically endangered species, 25 endangered species, 35 vulnerable species and 73 threatened tree species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list that have been domesticated on the FRIM campus. A remarkable contribution towards meeting The Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011–2020) and pursuant to country’s commitment to The Rio Earth Summit 1992. (b) FRIM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives—Afforded to about 500,000 visitors annually, comprising tree planting activities, outreach programme and environmental education. During 2010-2013 alone, more than 6,000 trees of forest species have been planted involving 20 agencies and 1,700 people. (c) FRIM‘s commitment on ‘Conservation of Threatened Forest Species, and Urban Forestry Landscape Development and Sustenance’—Among the beneficiaries are Putrajaya Corporation; City Hall of Kuala Lumpur; Mutiara Rini Johor Bahru and Shah Alam; Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak; Eco Forest Damansara; Paya Indah Wetland and the Parliament. The On-line Tree Inventory and Management System (2,117 trees of 156 species) in Putrajaya is the first of its kind and adopted at the Federal Government Administrative Centre. Further, FRIM has effectively rehabilitated eight vulnerable coastal areas in Malaysia through an innovative Comp-Mat technique. (d) FRIM’s High Temperature Drying (HTD) Lumber Treatment System, a green approach for treating wood without the use of chemicals—It obtained the patent from the USA PTO in March 2013 and being filed for patent in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China and India. The system, winner of the National Innovation Award 2013, enhances the timber stability and reduces the processing time, hence highly supports the wood-based industries’ need. (e) FRIM’s internationally recognised authoritative benchmark facilities—This includes the California Air Resources Board (CARB) wood products’ compliant testing system; ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratories for wood-based products; ISO9001:2008 certification for R&D and support services for the forestry sector; GMP-compliant herbal processing; BioNexus accredited laboratories for natural- and agro- products; and the Furniture Industry Research Association of the UK (FIRA) compliant furniture testing facilities. To date, 275 Malaysian Standards have been developed by FRIM.

 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
FRIM is under the purview of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Being the leading Research Institution, FRIM’s function lies in providing the necessary solutions and advisory to the Ministry pertinent to efficient use of natural resources through R,D,C&A for sustainable development of the forestry sector in the country. FRIM acknowledges the participation of its stakeholders that will enhance the success rate in implementing the key strategies in FRIM’s CMP. The laid down strategies and action plan were ensured complies with the regulatory requirements and conform to the best practices while deliverables were focused on meeting the needs of the beneficiaries. Through this approach, invaluable additional information and demand from the stakeholders can be added into and transformed into the project requirements that will lay a stronger foundation to the initiation of such undertakings. Being the referral research institution, FRIM’s role being the key implementing agency is endorsed at the National Committee governed by the concerned and relevant ministries. This committee oversees the scope of work and responsibilities of parties involved whereby such commitments are documented and inked via Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). This approach is being applied while undertaking both international and national collaborative projects. FRIM further recognises the importance of having a comprehensive work plan that warrants efficient and effective implementation of such R,D,C&A activities under its CIE strategy. For that, working committees namely the Project Steering Committee (PTC) and Project Technical Committee (PTC) were established. These committees will be responsible in ensuring that the key milestones and deliverables are efficiently, effectively and accordingly delivered. These committees meet on a regular basis that was agreed upon within the context of the scope of activities. While the project scope, specifications and key outcomes are among the key items deliberated in the PSC meetings, milestones progress and achievements are generally discussed during the PTC meetings to reflect on-going and actual development on the ground.

 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
While it seems that funding is seen as a limiting factor, over the years, FRIM does grow from strength to strength in delivering its ‘Sciences—Green Products’ to its hosts of clients and stakeholders. This is achievable by allowing its personnel to excel in their fields and equipped themselves with the relevant skills and competencies during their years of services. This commendable effort has resulted in generation of a pool of multi-disciplinary experts, resource persons and the dedicated teams in FRIM that are highly sought after by clients. The greatest challenge in reforestation is caused by the lack of understanding towards the importance of conservation and preservation of green stands. Therefore it is vital that the environmental education and CSR programmes are being implemented continuously to instil learners with knowledge about the environment, inculcate positive attitudes toward the environment and help achieve environmental literacy. As such, among the main obstacles encountered by FRIM in implementing the CIE Initiative is to change people mindset and bringing them away from their comfort zone to the reality of new challenges and horizon. In research field, it is of utmost importance that achievement is pursued upon constant willingness to strive for excellence and keep pushing for betterment of which sciences, creativity and innovation offer not least than vast opportunities and potential.

D. Impact and Sustainability

 10. What were the key benefits resulting from this initiative?
Among the key impacts of the CIE Initiative are; (a) FRIM has the country’s largest collections of specimen: 350,000 herbarium specimens, 620,200 entomological specimens, 3,000 fungi and 2,500 vertebrates, totalling one third of Malaysia’s total collection. The National Herbarium databases in FRIM is a crucial reference for Lacy Act compliant as source of origin of timbers and timber-based products exported from Malaysia has to be certified from sustainably managed forest. BRAHMS (Botanical Research Management System) database containing 223,122 records have been established—221 records of threatened species are accessible online upon subscription; and 9,215 records of flora database are available, both via Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) website. (b) FRIM’s land—ex-tin tailings area turned into a man-made tropical forest. A National Heritage site, also an ecological tourism spot; showcases world leading reforestation standards for degraded land. FRIM’s 544.3 hectare site and its 125 hectare afforestation research centre represent a comprehensive biodiversity depository, comprising 354 species of ex-situ cultivation, 13 critically endangered species, 25 endangered species, 35 vulnerable species and 73 threatened tree species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list that have been domesticated in FRIM campus. A remarkable contribution towards meeting The Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020 that reflects country’s commitment to The Rio Earth Summit 1992. (c) FRIM’s certified and accredited laboratories as an authoritative entity to produce and certify commercial products; to meet the following requirements of national and international standards; i. Certified Testing Organisation for BM Trada and FIRA of UK for furniture and other wood products; ii. FRIM’s ift (Institute for Windows Technology) certification as an authority in Asia and Malaysia to conduct surveillance and testing of laminated scantling for the German and European markets. iii. FRIM’s California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant testing facilities for wood-based products, the first agency in the country and amongst the first in the region. iv. FRIM’s JAS/JIS compliant testing laboratory for wood-based products. v. 275 Malaysian Standards have been developed by FRIM. vi. Timber Technology and Engineering Information Resources portal providing useful data on 100 commercial timbers. (d) Rubberwood–once used as fuel-wood and medicinal plants from Malaysian bio-resources, turned into high value-added products. The local furniture industry which 80% depends on rubberwood, has steadily generated more than RM6 billion of export revenues annually. The natural products industry generates about RM100 million incomes annually. Overall, 200 natural products entrepreneurs and about 700 wood-based companies benefited from FRIM annually. (e) FRIM, a preferred place by corporate and government agencies, educational institutional, media and individuals for various CSR programmes namely photography competition, camping, jungle-trekking, nature conservation and tree-planting. FRIM’s article on 'Barcode for Trees' in The Star dated 31 July 2013 attained 1,026,812 readership and contributed to RM203,889 of PRValue. Among the corporate organizations participated in FRIM CSR activities are Mitsubishi, Malaysia Institute of Accountants, Petronas, Shell and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau. (f) FRIM, the home for the FRIM-MNS-SHELL Nature and Environment Education Centre, a tri-partite initiative with stakeholders since 1991 to conduct outreach and research-based programmes on effective environmental education. (g) FRIM with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD) from 2007-2009 facilitated 50 entrepreneurs from 25 herbal companies in enhancing the quality of herbal products. Further, FRIM and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), successfully initiated FRIM-MTDC Bioentrepreneural Graduate Programme—awarding 10 companies to commercialise FRIM’s technologies. (h) FRIM’s coffee-table book – from scientific to laymen version of publication earned FRIM the prestigious National Book Award in 2010, 2012 and 2013. (i) FRIM, the Centre for Traditional Knowledge of Malaysian indigenous people since 2007. The initiative covered 7 sub-ethnic groups (Jahai, Temiar, Semai, Temuan, Semelai, Jahut and Jakun). FRIM has determined nearly 150 plant species that are traditionally used by the Orang Asli communities for potential pharmaceutical candidates. This effort reflects FRIM’s commitment on access and benefit sharing under the Convention on Biodiversity-Nagoya Protocol 2010. (j) Prestigious international awards in recognising FRIM’s exemplary contribution in balanced use of natural resources towards sustainable development of tropical forestry. Among the notable awards are Nikkei Asia Prize, Mahathir Science Award and the Islamic Development Bank’s Prize for Science & Technology and The Asia Pacific BrandLaureate Best Brand Award for Conservation of Forest.

 11. Did the initiative improve integrity and/or accountability in public service? (If applicable)
FRIM’s CIE Initiative is indeed sustainable and can be replicated elsewhere. With the appointment of FRIM’s Director-General as Chairman of the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) since 2009, FRIM enhanced its research and technolgy development capabilities to support the conservation and management of forest resources in the Asia Pacific region. As such, the FRIM’s CIE concept has been communicated to 75 institutional members across the Asia Pacific. On top of that, FRIM has spearheaded twin-campus initiatives as follow: (a) FRIM-Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) entered into a collaboration effort towards reforestation of an old rubber plantation with high quality timber species. The twin campus programme is in line with the university’s aim to work towards an Eco Tropical UTM Campus at Johor Bahru; and the attainment of a world class quality innovative education in tropical environment. (b) FRIM and Jazan University in Saudi Arabia have agreed to establish a bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in areas related to FRIM’s experience in transforming through reforestation an ex-mining area to a forest plantation, hence the “twin campus” for the university for the purpose of information and knowledge sharing. (c) Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has sought the advice and cooperation of FRIM in an effort to create a more conducive campus environment for its students, given that FRIM has the expertise and experience in the rehabilitation and afforestation of sandy BRIS (beach ridges interspersed swales) soil area. The “Forestation Initiative” collaboration is provided for under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FRIM and UMP, and the project is also supported by the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and Tesco Stores (M) Berhad (TESCO). The “Forestation Initiative” is expected to bring multiple benefits not only help to beautify the area, rejuvenate the local ecosystem and make the campus environment more pleasant for the students and surrounding communities; it will also enable the academicians to use the trees for research and development, as well as environmental education purposes. FRIM’s twin campus initiative is an advancement made in trust that the educational institutions as well as private agencies have a vital role to play in the sustainable management and utilisation of natural resources. FRIM has currently collaborated with a number of universities or agencies in areas pertaining to reforestation and rehabilitation of abandoned area, rejuvenation of the local ecosystem and making the environment more pleasant for the students and surrounding communities. This initiative will enable the academicians to use the trees as a basis for research and development, as well as environmental education purposes.

 12. Were special measures put in place to ensure that the initiative benefits women and girls and improves the situation of the poorest and most vulnerable? (If applicable)
FRIM’s CIE is a result of a well-thought strategy that would propel FRIM to the future, driven by a strong foundation and legacy that has predominantly converted a tin tailing during the 1920’s into a today’s majestic man-made forests. The 544.3 ha man-made forests today emerge as a safeguarded and transformed entity renowned as a National Heritage with a unique purpose for tropical forestry R&D longevity and for the benefits of mankind of today and tomorrow. The FRIM’s CIE Initiative therefore carries Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and has made FRIM as the only Asian Forest Research institution to have its land title and ratifies the protection of FRIM tropical forests for continued R&D as well as for the enjoyment of future generations. Thus FRIM became one of the must see destinations for Tourism Authority and the top three icons in Selangor since 2007 with recorded visitors reaching 500,000 annually. Considering the way forward of FRIM, centred on establishing the institute to be the best role model in delivering its ‘Sciences—Green Products’ aimed at reforestation, rehabilitation, conservation and utilisation of natural resources towards sustainable development in a balance manner via strategic, creative and innovative research, one of the important lessons learned is people from all walks of life and/or stakeholders are hunger for information and knowledge that are truthful, useful and meaningful for their needs and livelihood. The Friends of FRIM for instance, have become the eyes and ears of the government, crucial in providing invaluable inputs and/or feedbacks towards enhancing and fostering mechanisms, procedures and approaches for a better delivery services. Further, open dialogue or other formal initiatives with a diverse group of interested stakeholders is an effective means of leveraging local ecological knowledge, understanding the value of traditional ecosystems, learning how natural resources are used and avoiding potential resource conflicts. Despite the challenges and barriers, the reforestation and other forest related projects are not only mitigating climate change by contributing to the storage of carbon dioxide, but also improves the community livelihoods, increasing resilience to climate change, conserving precious biodiversity, and restoring degraded lands.

Contact Information

Institution Name:   FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA
Institution Type:   Government Agency  
Contact Person:   Abd Latif Mohmod
Title:   Head of agency  
Telephone/ Fax:   +603-6279 7008/ 7009
Institution's / Project's Website:  
E-mail:   latif@frim.gov.my  
Address:   Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
Postal Code:   52109
City:   Kepong
State/Province:   Selangor
Country:  

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