The site, comprising 12,481 hectares, is Malaysia’s third biosphere reserve site. It was certified by Unesco in September last year.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who announced receipt of the certificate, said the state government would make Penang Hill and its surroundings a preferred ecotourism destination for visitors.

He pledged to create “a world-class learning site to explore and illustrate methods of conservation and sustainable development”.

The natural resources ministry said Bukit Bendera is one of the 727 biosphere reserve sites in the world network of biosphere reserves, Bernama reported.

Tasik Chini, Pahang, was Malaysia’s first biosphere reserve which received Unesco recognition in 2009, followed by the Crocker Range in Sabah in 2014.

Biosphere reserves are sites to promote sustainable development involving local people and scientific research, and includes conflict prevention and the management of biodiversity.