May 2026

We started conducting our own gotong-royong to manage the main trails and research trail. For the first gotong-royong, our staff with the help of Maszairizam and a few staff from UM Estates Department weeded out, trimmed, and cleared the area and planted a few saplings. 

May is also the start of fireflies sampling by researchers from Monash University. Their study was delayed by a couple years as there were no staff that could assist in night sampling and now, the research was kickstarted again.

SMK Dang Anum paid a visit to Rimba Ilmu for a guided walk led by Ilyana Hassya and on 20th May, we were visited by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden for a 4-day visit. Led by Dr Yong Kien Thai and assisted by Ilyana Hassya, Aina Yasmin, and Nurhazimah, the visit was also assisted by Maszairizam and Kheirul Anwar. The visit on 20th May was also joined by the Executive Director of UM Agroforestry, Dr Lau Su Ee. Discussion was held with Prof. Bai Yang, Ke Yue Chang and their doctoral and master's students where the visit involved field observations in highland areas (Genting Highlands and Fraser Hill), man-made forest areas (Rimba Ilmu and FRIM), cave areas (around Perak and at Batu Caves) and rice fields (Tanjung Karang). This visit was the starting point for XTBG in landscape studies in Malaysia.

Rimba Ilmu received a request for a CSR program by Ecoworld. Their CSR started with a zumba in the foyer area before they were escorted by Rimba's staff inside the botanical garden. Along with their physical help in maintaining the garden, they also donated 20 orchids (Spathoglottis plicata).