Energy and natural resources minister Takiyuddin Hassan said today the recognition was a success for Malaysia in general and the Penang government in particular in the management of areas of biodiversity importance as well as commitment to implement sustainable development.

“Penang Hill is the third national biosphere reserve after Tasik Chini, Pahang (2009) and the Crocker Range, Sabah (2014) were recognised under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) Man and the Biosphere Programme.

“The ministry is confident that the Penang government will continue to be committed to properly managing this biosphere reserve site and strive to maintain this status in the future,” he said in a statement.

Takiyuddin said the Penang Hill biosphere reserve covering a total land area of 12,481 hectares was a green lung for Penang and involved the areas around Penang Hill, including the Penang Botanic Park, the Penang National Park, six permanent forest reserves as well as two dams.

It includes three main ecosystems, namely forested, coastal and marine areas, each of which supports a diverse network of flora and fauna, including endangered mammals and migratory birds.