KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The Selangor government has formed a strategic partnership with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to seek Unesco Biosphere Reserve (UBR) recognition for the Selangor Northern Corridor.
The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), or MBI, and UMT at the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), which is being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
MBI was represented by its chief executive officer Dato’ Saipolyazan M. Yusop, while UMT was represented by its vice-chancellor Prof Mohd Zamri Ibrahim
In a statement, MBI said the proposed UBR designation will put the Selangor Northern Corridor — comprising Sabak Bernam and parts of Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor — on the map, unlocking new global opportunities for ecotourism, community engagement, and sustainable land use.
The move will also ensure the preservation of the area’s natural resources for future generations.
“This initiative is one of the catalytic projects under the Sabak Bernam Development Area (Sabda) and part of Selangor’s broader vision to position the northern corridor as a model region for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience, aligned with Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme.”
According to MBI, Sabda is undertaking a comprehensive effort to boost Selangor’s seafood economy in Sabak Bernam, ensure sustainable seafood production, and enhance food security.
Saipolyazan said the UBR project is part of MBI’s commitment to promote sustainable development and protect Selangor’s rich biodiversity.
As part of the collaboration, the state government has allocated RM500,000 in research grants to UMT to conduct in-depth studies in the northern corridor.
“The research will focus on biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and socio-economic development,” said Sabak Bernam Consultative Council chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail.
“The partnership between MBI and UMT will play a vital role in transforming Sabda, through UBR, into a national benchmark for biodiversity conservation, advancing the state’s environmental and sustainability agenda … and enable scientific studies on coastal and inland resilience, biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and sustainable community development — all crucial components of the Unesco application process,” he added.
MBI said the research funding will also support the preparation and submission of the official UBR Nomination Dossier, including research, analysis, and documentation on Selangor Northern Corridor’s biodiversity and socio-economy.
Meanwhile, Zamri said the partnership is a strategic move to establish the northern corridor as a national benchmark for environmental conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research.
Sabak Bernam and its adjacent districts, including parts of Kuala Selangor and Hulu Selangor, are home to one of the largest swamp forests in the region, covering about 81,300ha.
This area preserves over 58 million swamp trees, with the capacity to absorb an estimated five million tonnes of carbon.
