By Prensa Latina
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia will invest 25 million dollars to build a biodiversity and biotechnology research center in one of the world’s oldest tropical jungles, local media reported.
The project, which resulted from a memorandum of understanding between the local government and the University of Putra Malaysia, will cover 1,483 acres in the Belum Forestry Reserve, north of the state of Perak.
According to Nic Mustapha, deputy rector of the University of Putra Malaysia, the Royal Belum center, on the border with Thailand, will welcome 100 professionals who will research on autochthonous species.
Malaysia’s forestry resources are relatively intact. However, unsustainable development and changes in the use of the land have threatened the local biosphere.
Malaysia has one of the world’s most complex tropical rainforest ecosystems.
The country’s flora is extraordinarily rich and consists of nearly 12,500 plant species.