Reza Cockrell Led the Mission for Penang Hill's Recognition as A Unesco Biosphere Reserve

Penang Hill was designated as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in September this year, the result of years of concerted effort spearheaded by The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation

Penang may be well known for many things but not much is known about the island's rich natural biodiversity. This may change especially since on September 15, 2021, the International Coordinating Council (ICC) of Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere Programme formally inducted the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. With this listing, the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve joins a distinguished global network of 714 Biosphere Reserves in 129 countries including 21 transboundary sites.

The Habitat Penang Hill, an environmental discovery centre that opened in January 2016, and its NGO arm The Habitat Foundation were key in spearheading this historic initiative. A key figure behind this is Reza A. Cockrell, co-founder of both organisations, and director and chairman respectively.

While Cockrell was not raised in Penang, his mother, Datin Rosna Yusoff grew up there and his father, Dato' Harry A. Cockrell recognised how special it was to have Penang Hill's virgin primary rainforest so close to major human habitation. Cockrell's parents are also co-founders of The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation.

Now with the family's dream of having 500 hectares of the Hill recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (UBR), Tatler speaks to Reza on the journey and what lies ahead.

Above A view of the Penang National Park and The Habitat Penang Hill from atop the Penang Hill Special Area Plan. Seen in the photo is the Langur Way Canopy Walk, the longest double span stressed ribbon bridge in the world and the only one of its kind in a rainforest

How was The Habitat Penang Hill instrumental in making Penang Hill a model Biosphere Reserve?

We were the first to introduce the idea of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme for Penang at a symposium called The Launch: Canopy Science and Forest Conservation in Penang co-organised with our partners at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in October 2016.

The proposal was quickly adopted by the Penang State Government which appointed the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) to represent the state in the preparation of the dossier for submission to Unesco. We went on to organise the Penang Hill BioBlitz, a complete forest floor to forest tree-top survey of the biodiversity of the rainforest on Penang Hill, in October 2017. Over a period of two weeks, 117 scientists and bio-sciences students from USM, the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco as well as Singapore, Brunei and Hong Kong recorded more than 2,500 species of flora and fauna including species believed to be new to science.

Our BioBlitz confirmed that Penang Island’s forests were indeed rich in biodiversity and our findings formed the baseline science that was included in the dossier for submission to Unesco for the UBR nomination. Through The Habitat Foundation, we also contributed to and funded the engagement of the consultancy team that prepared the nomination dossier. We're proud to have played a key role in championing this listing and look forward to continuing to support it going forward.

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Above 117 researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia and from around the world gathered to document the biodiversity of Penang Hill

What was the journey like to making this happen?

It has definitely been a rollercoaster ride at times. For example, after the high of our BioBlitz, Penang was hit by a typhoon-like weather system which caused torrential rain resulting in massive flooding and landslides throughout the state.

Penang Hill alone experienced over 300 landslides and landslips. The Habitat was not spared. 30 per cent of our nature trail, the backbone of our park, was knocked out by two massive landslides near the main entrance and this part of the park was inaccessible for over one and a half years while repairs took place.

On the upside, the following year, working closely with our partners at PHC, USM and numerous government departments and local authorities, we managed to determine the geographical area for the future Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, an area equivalent to 20 per cent of Penang island, and got it approved by the board of directors of PHC in less than 12 months. Three months later, this was approved at state exco which made the nomination of Penang Hill as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve official.

Above Enjoy the breathtaking views of The Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve from atop the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, the highest publicly accessible viewing platform in Penang

What does this inscription mean for Penang Hill and The Habitat?

This designation really confirms that we are on the right track as far as what we are trying to achieve with Penang Hill.

On a more personal note, this international recognition of the hill's rich biodiversity simply reaffirms something my family and I have always known, that the island’s pristine natural heritage and cultural landscapes are truly world-class and should be protected and celebrated.

In the longer term, the Unesco listing means that Penang has the opportunity to lead the way, at least in Peninsular Malaysia, to demonstrate that tangible socio-economic benefits can arise from protecting, valuing and celebrating nature rather than just exploiting it.

How will The Habitat continue to honour this designation?

This is just the beginning of our journey. Going forward, our plans include continuing to work closely with PHC, local authorities like the Forestry Department, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, USM and other stakeholders to establish the framework for the management of the new Biosphere Reserve.

We are also in advanced discussions with PHC to establish a research centre on Penang Hill. Modelled after the Danum Valley Field Centre operated by the South-East Asian Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) in Sabah, we hope to help make Penang a centre of excellence for environmental research related to biodiversity conservation, sustainability as well as climate change and climate adaptation.

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Above The Geosesarma faustum or more affectionally referred to as the Vampire Crab is a newly discovered species in the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (2017)

How has The Habitat been weathering the pandemic?

Covid-19 has certainly impacted our plans but our commitment to the mission, vision and purpose of our enterprise has never been stronger.

On the park side, we have doubled down on reinventing our business to focus on the travel and leisure trends that are already emerging and pointing to a greener, more locally focused tourism, at least for the foreseeable future. We are planning on launching a series of experiences under our Habitat brand which focuses on high quality, nature-based experiences throughout Malaysia, leveraging on the network that we have developed through our work.

We continue to fund conservation, research and sustainable tourism initiatives and programmes in Penang and throughout Malaysia through a series of grants. We have also reorganised ourselves to become a voice for nature and environmental conservation.

Above The map of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve. The total area of the biosphere is 12,481 hectares with 7,285 hectares inland and 5,196 hectares in marine waters

What are your thoughts about eco-tourism in Penang and Malaysia?

I believe that Penang and Malaysia as a whole, being one of a handful of mega diverse countries in the world, with amazing and bountiful biodiversity assets, have a bright future as far as ecotourism is concerned. In Penang, the Unesco MAB platform will give us access to a global network of 714 Biosphere Reserves. Coupled with the already existing UnescoWorld Heritage Site status for George Town, Penang will be able to promote its rich heritage, culture and now, its rich natural heritage and biodiversity on the world stage.

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Reza Cockrell Talks Penang Hill's Designation as A Unesco Biosphere Reserve