FRIM declared heritage site

KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia’s (FRIM) main campus in Kepong was officially declared one of the country’s natural heritage sites. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod said this would ensure the protection of its forest for research as well as the enjoyment of future generations. “FRIM is the largest man-made forest in the world. Since 1962, pioneer foresters and scientists have nurtured the forest back to life from abandoned tin mining pits, and we now have over 2,500 plant species,” he said during the official declaration ceremony yesterday.

To celebrate the milestone, FRIM is set to become fully environmentally-friendly next year by banning the use of disposable polystyrene and plastic bags. Dr Abd Latif said this was the institute’s way of promoting and demonstrating environmentally-responsible behaviour.
“Canteen and food operators will have to comply, while visitors will be checked to ensure they did not bring in any polysterene or plastic,” he said. He added that FRIM researchers had developed environmentally-friendly food packaging using agricultural waste such as oil palm.
“We are aiming to have the perfect eco-system in three to five years, where everything can be recycled – nature going back to nature,” he said.

The achievement was offically marked by former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who expressed hope that future generations would continue FRIM’s efforts to preserve national treasures. Abdullah and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah also took part in a tree-planting ceremony to mark their first visit to FRIM.
-thestar online.