KOTA KINABALU: Approximately 106 kg of false dandelions, an invasive species, have been removed in an effort to eliminate such plants along the heritage site routes of Mount Kinabalu. These invasive plants pose a threat to the area’s endemic flora and fauna.
Vanielie T. Justine, an ecology research officer at Sabah Parks, stated that 98 invasive species have been identified within this UNESCO World Heritage site. He warned that if these invasive plants are allowed to proliferate, they could severely disrupt the local ecosystem.
“It would slowly destroy plants that are only available there,” he explained.
To combat this issue, Sabah Parks collaborated with the Ikatan Guru Muslim Malaysia (i-GURU) to conduct a three-day program starting on August 31, aimed at monitoring and removing these alien plants. A total of 67 participants, symbolizing Malaysia’s 67th National Day, participated in the initiative, scaling the mountain and successfully destroying 106 kg of false dandelions.
Muhamad Amin Ribbang, chairman of i-GURU for Sabah, emphasized the importance of such programs in promoting educational activities among staff and students. He expressed hope that these efforts would raise the educational standards in Sabah to new heights, akin to Mount Kinabalu itself.
According to Sabah Parks, Kinabalu Park is a hotspot for plant biodiversity, hosting an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 vascular plants, which belong to around 200 families and 1,000 genera. This diversity accounts for approximately 14% of the flora in the Malesia phytogeographical region and about 2.5% of the world’s flora.