2025 Banding Trail Adventure Discovers Over 500 Biodiversity Species
According to the Banding Island Foundation (PBF), the three-day expedition, which began last Friday, involved 50 participants comprising local university students and research experts. The group explored a 4.7-kilometre area on the island to identify and document species found within the ecosystem.
"Throughout the expedition, participants engaged in systematic sampling and identification activities, focusing on biological realms such as Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, and Protista. These were carried out using a scientific approach grounded in field research.
"The collected data forms a biodiversity checklist or 'Species Checklist' for Pulau Banding. The information not only contributes to the national biodiversity database, but also plays a vital role in identifying and monitoring endangered species, while promoting awareness and environmental conservation efforts,' said the foundation in a statement today.
BTA 2025 was organised by PBF in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, the Tropical Rainforest Research Centre (TRaCe), the EMKAY Foundation, and Belum Rainforest Resort.
The programme also saw the involvement of the Belum Forest Friends (BFF), Exotic Animal Teaching Laboratory (EXOTEL), Malaysian Forestry Research Institute, Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department, Perak State Forestry Department, as well as several local universities such as Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The programme made history when it was officially recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for achieving the Most Biodiverse Species Identified in a Programme, with the certificate presented during the closing ceremony held today.
Meanwhile, EMKAY Group executive chairman Datuk Fazwinna Mustapha Kamal, in her speech at the closing ceremony, said that only 10 per cent of the biodiversity around Royal Belum has been studied to date.
She emphasised that many secrets and natural treasures remain undiscovered and underscored the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts to protect these invaluable resources.
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