In efforts to collect information on biological diversity at the Pahang National Park here, 70 scientists and researchers are currently participating in the Taman Negara Scientific Expedition (second edition).

The expedition is also aimed at exploring new, endemic (native and restricted to a certain place), as well as unique flora and fauna species which lie in one of the world’s most ancient rainforests.

During the five-day excursion which began last Friday, researchers from various departments, research institutes and public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), are being placed at the Kuala Keniam UiTM-Perhilitan (Wildlife and National Parks Department) station.

UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Prof Dr Mohd Nazip Suratman said findings from the expedition would contribute to the country's sustainable development goals (SDG) and further enhance the university's collaboration with other researchers.

"We need updated and more comprehensive information from the ones collected in the 2008 expedition.

"Through this scientific expedition, there will be numerous significant findings that can be documented in various forms including books, conferences, journals, coffee table books and documentary films," he told Bernama after launching the expedition here, on Saturday.

Also present at the launch were Perhilitan deputy director-general, Datuk Fakhrul Hatta Musa, UiTM Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development director and expedition head Prof Dr Zulkiflee Abd Latif, and deputy vice-chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) Professor Datuk Dr Rahmat Mohamad.

Fakhrul Hatta said while the department lauded the effort as there is vast knowledge yet to be discovered from the park, they also need to ensure participants' safety since the station is located on an elephant track.

"We have installed electrical fencing at several areas of the station to prevent elephants from coming in. Here, we also have the military veterans and Orang Asli, as well as Perhilitan personnel (as wildlife rangers), not only to look after the researchers but also to monitor tourists’ movement and foreigners’ intrusions," he said.

He added that the expedition would benefit and provide data to Perhilitan on existing flora and fauna species there, and the information could be utilised for budget planning and acquisition in the future.

Besides Kuala Keniam, other locations for such an expedition are Pulau Tuba, Royal Belum and the Ledang National Park, which cater to different research themes.

-- BERNAMA