R i m b a

I l m u

Rimba Ilmu is a tropical botanical garden, set up in the University of Malaya campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is modelled after a rain forest garden concept rather than a formal flower garden. It emphasises the flora of the Malaysian and Indonesian region. Together with the living collections of over 1,600 species, the Rimba Ilmu also houses the University of Malaya herbarium (acronym KLU) and has its own Environmental Education Programme. The Rimba Ilmu is a member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the South East Asia Botanic Gardens Network. Rimba Ilmu means "The Forest of Knowledge" in the Malay language. The garden, established in 1974, occupies an area of 80 hectares. It is partly buffered by old rubber plantings and the living collections, mostly from Malaysia, are one of the most important biological conservatories in Malaysia. There are also plant species from other parts of tropical Asia, the Pacific islands, Australia, South America, Africa and Madagascar. RIMBA ILMU's MISSION is to generate and promote awareness and knowledge of tropical plant life and its environment, ecology and conservation through the development and management of facilities and activities appropriate to its function in a university located within Malaysia's most developed and populated landscape. The Herbarium (a reference library of preserved plant specimens) is Malaysia's largest university collection containing some 63,000 accessions. In the Garden, there are several main show collections, including medicinal plants, palms, and the citrus and citroid collection. The Conservatory of Rare Plants and Orchids, opened in 2000, and the Fernery, with planting establishments made over several years and commissioned in 2003, are accessible only to special group visits and research contacts, and a new bambusetum (living collection of bamboos) was completed at the end of 2003 and generally accessible to the public. There is also a small research collection of bananas. A highlight in the development of the Rimba Ilmu is the establishment of a special arboretum (living collection of trees) beginning in 2001 as the anchor for our "Millenium Forest" project, which seeks to engage friends and concerned parties in establishing biologically diverse forest plantings in making a new forest within the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Rare Plants and Orchid Conservatory

Go Virtual Tour
The new Conservatory is a part-research, part-educational facility in the Rimba Ilmu's effort to provide a better understanding of rare species from a conservation perspective. It is therefore also a logical extension to the Rain Forests and Our Environment

Exhibition and our Environmental Education Programme. Planting establishment for the Conservatory, measuring 24m x 10m and served by rotary-dish coolers with a roofmount fog-misting system, began in September 1999, with some 1000 accessions established by December 2000. This collection includes some of the rarest and most threatened species we know.

Close up view of the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum, or Rothchild's Slipper Orchid.

(Photo: F L Tang)

A bed of Paphiopedilum barbatum slipper orchids in the Conservatory.

(Photo: F L Tang)

There is a landscaped section with a bubbling pool and raised walkway upon entry, covering approximately half the area, as well as systematic collections, the latter principally orchids. All display plants are accessioned with a UMC (University of Malaya

Conservatory) number and labelled.

Alocasia cuprea (Araceae), which is naturally found only on the island of Borneo, and which has found its way into cultivation locally.
(Photo: K M Wong)

This Conservatory displays three forms of rarity normally shown by plants in Malaysia and nearby regions. In the first group (examples with labels coded EN), the plant species are naturally endemic (or restricted) to particular localities or sites. If these sites or localities are destroyed or transformed drastically, such species will be endangered or become extinct. The second category (with labels coded RM) includes species that have a relatively wide distribution outside of Malaysia, but which are infrequently encountered (and so are rare) in the country. We will also lose these species from our flora if these sites are too disturbed. The third group (coded LF on the labels) is represented by species that were once much more common, usually found in lowland forests, but whose range and population have been much decreased, such as by reduction in habitat area (by forest conversion to agricultural or settlement schemes). Such species could become much rarer and may even be threatened if habitat area further decreases. Commoner plant species accompanying the special displays here are labelled without any special category codes.

Alocasia melo (Araceae), a species restricted to only one particular rock type in northern Borneo, was described as a species new to science only in 1997. The epithet 'melo' refers to the melon-skin texture of the leaves.
(Photo: K M Wong)

In addition, this Conservatory includes collections of the indigenous orchid species of Malaysia or nearby countries in the region. These are systematically catalogued to provide a baseline collection for reference and study. Orchid species are routinely given plain tags with their accession number and name.

New orchid accessions being routinely mounted and potted at the work area of the Conservatory.
(Photo: F L Tang)

The Conservatory will not be open routinely during its first phase, but short tours are offerred to visitors attending Guided Garden Walks every first Saturday of the month, when time permits after the main tour.

Botanical Garden (Taman Botani)

The biggest botanical garden in Malaysia, it covers an area over 92 hectares. The park is divided into three sections - flowers, ornamental plants and preservation/ research purposes. The biggest botanical garden in Malaysia, it covers an area over 92 hectares. The park is divided into three sections - flowers, ornamental plants and preservation/ research purposes. The garden currently has more than 700 species of flowering plants, local plants as well as plants from the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions. The area also serves as a research centre, with its multipurpose collection. Kids will be delighted with the huge collection and exotic flowers, and educationists will be able to see many species of plants at the research centre. There is also a Visitors' Interpretative Centre (VIC), explorer's trail, palm hill, sun and floral gardens for visitors wishing to experience more from the Botanical Garden. Take home some interesting collections from its quaint gift shop offering environmentally friendly souvenirs.
Key Tips

Come over to see the wide variety of flowers and other plants at the garden!
How to get there

ERL, Taxi, Car, Bus This area is 25 km from Kuala Lumpur and 20 km north of the Kuala Lumpur International

Airport (KLIA). One can use the Express Railway (ERL), car, taxi or bus to destinations in Putrajaya

National Park Guide

Malaysia National Park Guide Malaysia has many big reserved parks and islands that have been declared as national parks. This national park guide page will explore in greater details where one can go to experience the protected species of this tropical country. Malaysia's forest are among the oldest in the world and will continue to hold this record as many of them have been gazetted as National Parks. Many of the national parks have been established as early as the 21st century. The country has a warm tropical climate with a temperature range of 16 C in the highlands to 30 C in the lowlands. The annual rainfall average is in the range of 200 cm. The abundance of sun and rain have enabled many greeneries to grow and enveloped the undisturbed parks of the country, only waiting to be explored by the curiousity of the human mind.

Entrance to Manukan Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

If you are fortunate, you will be able to see Rafflesia, the world's largest flower in Kinabalu Park. The Koompassia excelsa, the tallest tree in the world is also found here. For those who enjoy the sea, there are many national marine parks for you to enjoy the clear blue sea, corals, colorful fishes, turtles and other sea creatures. As with any national parks, fishing and littering are prohibited and one is required to pay a small fee that goes towards the conservation of the parks. Come and discover Malaysia's rich natural heritage. Do come back to this national park guide page for more articles on the latest happenings in the various national parks in Malaysia. Find some articles on the various national park guide below.. Bako National Park See the unique rocky headlands with unique arches and seastacks coloured patterns, the proboscis monkeys, the 7 complete ecosystems and other wildlife in this oldest national park of Sarawak.

Kinabalu National Park The Kinabalu National Park is located in Sabah, approximately an hour and a half drive from the city of Kota Kinabalu. Covering an area of 754 square kilometres, the highest mountain in South East Asia called Mount Kinabalu is located here. This granite mountain is 4093 metres above sea level and is the focal point of this park.

Poring Hot Spring Poring Hot Springs is a must for any visitor who goes to Kinabalu Park. It is about half an hours drive from Kinabalu Park. You will pass the town of Kundasang and Ranau on your way here. The local Kadazan people call bamboo "Poring".

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park If you are looking for a family holiday with your children, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Sabah is worth considering going. Located about 20 minutes away by speed boat from Kota Kinabalu, this marine park consists of five islands and coral reefs.

Redang Marine Park Redang Marine Park which is located at the island of Pinang is just south of the

main island. A popular beach for snorkelling and looking at the marine life here.

Perhentian Island Perhentian Island off the coast of Terengganu is another island that is part of Redang Marine Park. This island is popular with back packers as there are many budget chalets here.

Role of Botanic Gardens

Botanic gardens have had a changing role throughout history, beginning often as medicinal gardens for the study and cultivation of plants with healing properties and going through many phases including of course as pleasure gardens. But the fact that their collections are more or less scientific, means they are continually adapting and serving the needs of their societies in evolving ways as new challenges face those societies. In current times, they are becoming key players in both the conservation of plants and in the education of the people who come to see them. They are also starting to play a role in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and could be absolutely vital to the survival of the planet as they are perfectly placed to help move species around and help ecosystems to adapt to new climates in different regions.

Definition of a Botanic Garden

The following is a list of criteria that may be met in part or whole by any institution that is considered to be a botanic garden: A reasonable degree of permanence An underlying scientific basis for the collections Proper documentation of the collections, including wild origin Monitoring of the plants in the collections Adequate labelling of the plants Open to the public Communication of information to other gardens, institutions and the public Exchange of seed or other materials with other botanic gardens, arboreta or research institutions Undertaking of scientific or technical research on plants in the collections Maintanence of research programs in plant taxonomy in associated herbaria.

The above list does not, however, constitute a comprehensive summary of the activities undertaken by botanic gardens. BGCI has considered what makes a botanic garden different from a public park or pleasure gardens. In the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation the definition of a botanic garden is as follows: "Botanic gardens are institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education."

Did you know... There are botanic gardens and arboreta in 148 countries worldwide and they maintain more than 4 million living plant collections. Use the BGCI Garden Search for detailed information on 2500 gardens around the world. Amongst their collections are representatives of more than 80000 species, almost one third of the known vascular plant species of the world. There are a total of 142 million herbarium specimens in botanic garden herbaria and 6.13 million accessions in their living collections. Over 500 botanic gardens occur in Western Europe, more than 350 in North America and over 200 in East and Southeast Asia, of which the majority are in China . Most of the southern Asian botanic gardens are to be found in India.

The Role of Botanic Gardens in Plant Conservation

Botanic gardens have collectively accumulated centuries of resources and expertise that now means they play a key role in plant conservation. Many of these activities contribute to ex situ conservation, but botanic gardens also play an important role in in situ conservation. Read about Botanic Gardens in Conservation, and follow the links below, to find out more about the activities that are used for plant conservation. Horticulture and cultivation skills allow us to grow plants that might be lost in nature, which means their plants' diversity can be conserved in the gardens, but also allows us to consider restoration and rehabilitation of degraded habitats. Living collections of plants collect species under various groupings, to maintain a living store of genetic diversity that can support many activities in conservation and research. Seed banks and collections of living plants allow species to be safeguarded. Plants must be carefully collected stored to ensure maximum genetic diversity is retained, and much research is required to determine the best way of storing each species. This is the conservation of plant diversity in situ, and botanic gardens are key to this strategy's capacity and success. Research and development into plant taxonomy and genetics, phytochemistry, useful properties, informing selection of plants that can withstand degraded and changing environments (especially important in face of the threats posed by climate change). Education is a strength of botanic gardens that allows them to communicate the importance of conserving plants, reaching out to diverse audiences, and also to communicate how this may be achieved.

Linking plants with the well-being of people, and also helping conserve indigenous and local knowledge, to encourage the sustainable use of plant resources for the benefit of all, as part of sustainable development.

There is a wide variety in the size and types of botanic garden, in all regions of the world, working together in networks to share information and expertise. Click the region map on the right for more information about regional botanic garden networks, or you can use our Garden Search Database to search for botanic gardens by keyword or country. Development and funding are also essential to ensure that botanic gardens' potential for conservation is fully realised - our web page on this topic provides some information and examples of successful development strategies.