[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

PUTRAJAYA, 17 July 2026 – Malaysia continues to strengthen its biodiversity conservation efforts by aiming to protect 70,000 hectares at Fraser’s Hill State Park, while restoring more than 7,500 hectares of forests and riparian corridors to facilitate freer wildlife movement.

The initiative, titled: “Conservation of globally significant biodiversity of the Ulu Jelai – Fraser’s Hill Watershed, Malaysia, through an Integrated Landscape Management approach,” supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will be implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) in the Ulu Jelai–Fraser’s Hill region in close partnership with UNDP Malaysia. 

The five-year project, scheduled from 2028 to 2032, will implement an Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) approach across the Ulu Jelai–Fraser’s Hill watershed, a critical biodiversity corridor spanning the states of Pahang and Selangor. It will adopt a government-led spatial planning approach aimed at securing ecological corridors, supporting the gazettal of Fraser’s Hill State Park, and enhancing on-the-ground conservation through community engagement and innovative management strategies. Overall, the initiative is expected to benefit at least 35,000 people.

UNDP Resident Representative to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, Edward Vrkić, said the project demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to protecting biodiversity while balancing the livelihoods and well-being of local communities, particularly the Orang Asli.

“As one of the world’s megadiverse countries, Malaysia can serve as a model for how people and wildlife can coexist harmoniously through such initiatives. 

“UNDP remains committed to partnering with NRES and the Government of Malaysia in leveraging available GEF resources towards a future where both nature and communities thrive together,” he said.

Claude Gascon, GEF Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, said: “The Fraser’s Hill–Ulu Jelai initiative highlights the importance of integrated landscape management in safeguarding critical ecological corridors. The Global Environment Facility is proud to support Malaysia in advancing spatial planning approaches that strengthen biodiversity conservation while improving community resilience.”

The project is anchored on four key pillars of integrated conservation: integrating ILM into spatial planning; restoring forests and safeguarding wildlife; reducing human-wildlife conflict; and supporting communities and sustainable livelihoods.

By the end of the project, the initiative is expected to secure the legal adoption of an ILM spatial plan covering 250,000 hectares of terrestrial land.

To ensure that both people and nature benefit from the initiative, the project will support community enterprises, with the goal of increasing local incomes by 25% while significantly reducing incidents of human-wildlife conflict.
 

The project is valued at approx. USD5.5 million or RM22 million and is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

ENDS

About UNDP Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Darussalam 
Established in 1965, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam to advance sustainable, inclusive and resilient development. Part of a global network in 170 countries, UNDP works with governments, civil society and the private sector to deliver impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen governance and institutions, and promote climate action, innovation and social inclusion. 

About the Global Environment Facility
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the world’s largest multilateral fund for the environment. Its family of funds work together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $155 billion for country-driven priority projects.

For media enquiries 
Kindly contact Aiezat Fadzell, Head of Communications for UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam: aiezat.fadzell@undp.org | +60126685747 
Alexandre Pinheiro Rego, Senior Communications Officer, Global Environment Facility: 
Email: arego@thegef.org